Many OBCs feel that people who post against reservations are against the upliftment of OBCs. That is not true. I can take an oath on this. There are people like me who genuinely believe that reservation will hurt the OBCs. If I give money to a beggar, I will be doing him dis-service since he will remain a beggar. Will my son study if I tell him I will get him admission without studying. I want my son to learn. Not just get a degree. People talk about reservation. Howcome no one talks about pulling the OBCs up so that they can compete and even beat the so-called upper castes?
I am Neither Brahmin Nor OBC. I am a Maratha, Open category. Grandparents were petty farmers. I have written several posts on this issue. I do not wish to repeat. The key points that I made are that social justice should be done to everyone. All backward classes (social and economic) should be given free schooling and financial assitance for higher education.
But now I make a new point and that is the definition of OBC. Let us say that OBCs get admission in IITs and IIMs. However who exactly will enter these insitutions ? Let us find out.
The OBCs cover a wide range from caste standpoint and even wider range of economic standpoint. eg Both the Sonar (Gold Smith) and Lohar (Iron Smith) are considered OBCs. The Sonar are close to Brahmins in rituals and economic status. The Lohars are on the other end of the spectrum. The Sonars have economic clout and can even beat Brahmins in competitive exams. Guess who is getting in to IIT/IIM ? Sonar or Lohar even if the reservation is 90% ?
The Lohar is asking for reservation. Does he know who he will compete with ? Had the Sonar been removed from the OBC list, the Lohar had a good chance of getting in even if the reservation is 20% !
However if the reservation was based on economic criteria, the Lohar would have got admission due to his poor economic status. Plus no one would complain since kids in higher economic cetegory will pay donations to get admission! Once the Lohar's community improves, it will automatically get removed from the quota list making way for other deprived communities.
So dear OBC brothers and sisters, instead of just asking for a % in reservation, try to increase the chances of deserving OBC candidates.
There are 4 categories of OBCs: 1. OBCs genuinely needing support from society. We need to provide for their schooling, guidance and financial assitance for higher education. 2. OBCs who got admission on merit and are proud of it. They need to encourage others in doing the same. They should be future leaders! 3. OBCs who mis-used the quota system inspite of their good economic status and feel guilty. Dont repeat the mistake. Dont let your children mis-use it. Give other OBCs a chance. 4. OBCs who just want to get it free without any guilt. They cannot survive in a competitive environment. They will work in Government jobs with dusty files and waste their lives in government job culture. What do they know about MNCs, Programming, Project Management, International experience. They are like frogs in the Pond.
Only OBCs can solve their own problem. Others tring convincing them only causes more hatred.
