The year2005.PlaceTamilNadu. TimeCounselling into professional colleges was getting closer.There was a lot of confusion regarding YES or No to entrance exams, which added to the woes of every family who was going through 12th that year. The verdict-It was held. My neighbour, a Brahmin by caste (its sad but today, I am forced to mention it) had scored 99.2% in his 12th. Instead of rejoicing at his brilliant performance, his family had a look of sadness. The reason was that he stood 266th! in the state in the entrance test. This boy was frustrated he would not get admission into the top 5 colleges of the state. His mother was running from one college to another enquiring if he had any chance. A principal even derided her saying that she was being foolish to even dream of getting into his college on merit. I also happened to meet a smart girl. She had an ambition to do engineering. She had also decided on the college and branch. I asked this confident, hip girl what her marks were. She had scored 68% & was placed1026th rank in the entrance. I essayed my fears of her getting a seat wherein she looked me in the eye and told me that she had no such doubts as she was a BC. Is this justice? Shouldnt it be that the economically backward, whichever caste they may be benefit from reservation and the fate of others merit alone decides? Is reservation a way of punishing the upper castes for the so called sins of their forefathers?
