It was not true that only certain castes were allowed to become IAS and IPS during British. It was totally merit. Many freedom fighters including my own father refused to sit for ICS(as it was called during British era-now it is IAS) to protest against serving the British rule in India. The caste based reservation was introduced vigorously and blindly in the post independent era in part due to the framers of constitution like Mr. Ambedkar who was passionate about his caste. Rajmannar (for the information of tamil casteist fresk-he was not a Brahmin), the chief justice of Madras struck it down as it violates fundamental rights of citizens of India. Then Nehrus have written that into constitution for a period of 10 years saying that it would be for one generation (each 10 years is considered to be a generation). Later on they used this as a legal bribe, vehicle to ascending to power with the help of groups. Now it is a cancer that no one can cure. Individuals like Karunanidhi thrive on it like the parasites on a wound. If they really want to uplift down trodden, there are several honest ways to do it. This dishonest way which converts people into shameless creatures without self esteem need not be the path.
