The more things change, the more they remain the same. Dr Ambedkar wanted the reservation policy to be in vogue only for a period of ten years after which he wanted it to be dismantled.
But corrupt and insensible politicians seized on the opportunity to pay vote bank politics and today, there is no going back!
In fact, in the earlier days, while people with ‘reservations’ were looked at in a condescending manner, today, there is a mad rush by each and every community for the status of a ‘backward caste’ or an ‘ST /SC status’. And the debate rages on!
People are as divided as ever on whether reservations serve any constructive purpose or not.
Meanwhile politicians such as KCR and YSR earlier tried to extend the scheme to Muslims also citing economic backwardness of the community.
Against this backdrop, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Najma Heptullah made some interesting comments.
“I have always maintained that reservation is a crutch, which saps the energy to face challenges. Muslims will not get reservation as the Constitution doesn't allow quota on religious ground,” said Heptullah.
Now if these remarks were made by a non-Muslim, one can easily imagine the furor it would have created.
