Reservation policy in India / by K. S. Padhy and Jayashree Mahapatra

Right to Equality in one of the most mportant fundamental rights which every citizen of India enjoys under the Constitution of India. Articles 14, 15, 16 and 29 of the Indian Constitution elaborate and safeguard this right. However, Clause 4 of the Article 16 empowers the Government to make special provisions for providing suitable opportunities to the backward communities in respect of jobs and admissions into academic institutions so that they can socially advance and economically prosper. But extension of concessions to the backward communities has, of late, sparked a controversy over the desirability of indefinitely extending these concessions which undoubtedly deprive talented young men of adequate opportunities.

For political reasons the various State Governments have not only allowed these concessions to continue but also have raised the percentage of posts and promotion opportunities reserved for the backward sections of the community. As a result there have been violent demonstrations that not only caused extensive damage to property on an unprecedented scale but also took a heavy toll of precious human lives.

Perhaps never in a long history of about a century has the issue of reservation been so questioned, so attacked and so threatening with sporadic violence and agitations spreading throughout India as it is now. It is, therefore, necessary to undertake a scientific and objective study of this subject in all its multi-dimensional aspects, taking into account its impact on the society and particularly on the weaker sections.