‘Reservation became a big issue because of BJP’

However, this was struck down by the Supreme Court because the Constitution did not provide for reservation on economic criteria. Further, the Congress Manifesto 2002 issued for the UP elections has also promised that reservation on economic criteria shall be introduced.

Why has caste become such a big issue in Rajasthan since you came to power? Hari Prasad
Caste is an issue not only in Rajasthan but in other States as well. It may be noted that In the Lok Sabha election campaign of 1999, the Prime Minister had announced in public meetings at Sikar, Sumerpur (Pali) and Jodhpur that Jats would be included as OBCs. In 1998, the BJP Government had not taken up this matter, which was pending with the Centre since the time of the Deve Gowda Government.

However, due to political considerations and in violation of the election code of conduct, the same BJP leadership made such an announcement so as to influence the voters for the Lok Sabha elections. It would have been better to have left this decision to the State OBC Commission. The announcement made by the PM in election meetings created an impression that reservation can be obtained by bringing political pressure. It is because of the BJP that this has become a big issue in Rajasthan.

Is reservation the only way to bridge the caste divide? Jyoti
SC/ST castes have been suffering social and educational prejudices for centuries. Now, even after 50 years of independence, they have not been given their rightful position in society. Unfortunately, they still suffer prejudices and evil social practices like untouchability, discrimination on social occasions, entry into temples etc. By giving such castes the benefit of reservation, they will be able to improve their economic and educational backwardness so that they are able to compare with other castes.

Why don’t our political leaders concentrate on their performance and ensuring basic necessities to all instead of raising controversial issues such as this one? Kumudha Bhaskar
From where the Congress or this Government stands, there is no controversy whatsoever. The BJP’s claim that it was in favour of granting reservation on economic basis since its Jan Sangh days is ill-founded.

In fact, the Jan Sangh could not reconcile to the reservations granted to SCs and STs by the Congress. The stand of the Jan Sangh had been reservation on economic grounds, in lieu of reservation on grounds of social and economic inequity. However, since the formation of the Janata Party in 1977, no BJP leader uttered a single word on the issue of reservations on economic grounds. Even today, when a BJP-led Government has been in power at the Centre for the last four years, and in several States, they have never raised this issue at all.

Now that the Rajasthan Government has proposed 14 per cent reservation on economic criteria for those castes not getting the benefit of reservations, BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu has announced that they would grant reservation for Muslims. It is clear that this statement has been made in view of the guilt felt by the BJP following the initiative taken by the Rajasthan Government. In fact, when our proposal is implemented, Muslims will automatically be included.

Providing scholarships or free education to economically backward is OK but should not jobs be decided on merit? Narendra P Goyal
The argument is that the State Government should enable or empower persons belonging to backward castes/classes by giving them facilities for education, training etc. Thereafter they should face general competition for employment. However, the nature of the discrimination lasting over centuries is so acute that it is necessary to provide reservation in government jobs for some more time so that they can improve their social, economic and educational backwardness and their levels of confidence.