DECONSTRUCTING MYTHS AND SOCIAL PREJUDICES AGAINST THE RESERVATION SYSTEM IN INDIA

Abstract

ˈReservationˈ has always been an issue of debate not only among the intelligentsia but in society as a whole. It has occupied a dominant position in public discourse and has also been extensively discussed in the political domain. There are conflicting opinions pertaining to it. According to the subaltern school of thought, it is imperative to have such policies in order to establish an egalitarian society and to correct historical wrongs. It provides significant assistance to the marginalized groups that are positioned at the lowest rank in the societal hierarchy, with an objective of achieving a constitutional social order. But the others say it compromises ˈMeritˈ and ˈEfficiencyˈ and, in fact, solidifies the existing discriminatory social order rather than dismantling it. Recent academic trends pertaining to this theme go in a unique direction. They revolve around a discourse—whether ˈReservationˈ actually delivers its sole purpose, i.e., to provide a constitutional shield to the downtrodden who are its actual beneficiaries; whether it has addressed the societal plights of the most marginalized, whether ˈCasteˈ should be replaced with the ˈFinancialˈ criteria and whether it was introduced only for ten years. The researcher has attempted to inquire into all the aforesaid queries and exposed the myths and prejudices related to ˈReservationˈ. Doctrinal method has been followed for accomplishing this research paper. The empirical statistics reflect that there is a huge gap between perception and reality. The study concludes that reservation remains a significant tool for ensuring substantive equality and addressing long-standing structural disparities.