This refers to the editorial, “End violent Jat protests” (February 22). There’s no doubt that nothing has been more regressive for India than its reservation policy. This policy has been a means of reverse discrimination. Often, an individual belonging to the ‘backward’ class, having an inferior track record, supersedes his ‘privileged’ counterpart in the sphere of education or service etc. In this process, not only does the criterion of eligibility get relegated to the background, but this pernicious practice also gives rise to a class of ‘neo-Brahmins’. Social justice and equality cannot be achieved through such policies. Rather, it will only give rise to resentment and ill-feeling.
Indeed, national interest takes a back step when ineligible personnel are allowed to don responsible posts. Thus, irrespective of the caste affiliation, people deprived of education due to financial constraints should be given free access to schools and colleges. Admission to higher educational institutes and employment should be based solely on merit.