Is Reservation Necessary For Dalits?

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, whose 125th birth anniversary was celebrated on April 14, gifted reservations in jobs and education to the Dalits. Time and again, the reservation policy for backward castes, including Dalits, has been a matter of public debate in India. The topic is on the national platform yet again with the current agitations seeking job quotas even as others discuss abolition of the reservation policy. Despite 67 years of job reservations, there is no major change in the social status of a majority of Dalits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said that his government will make no changes in the reservation policy for Dalits as he accused his opponents of spreading "untruths" on the politically sensitive issue. The PM's speech came ahead of elections in four states and a union territory over six weeks beginning April 4, in a test of whether the BJP can expand its footprint in regions where it has been traditionally weak. It is time to look at how the Dalits figure in this equation as one of India's most oppressed social categories.

BW Businessworld talked to Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha on the Dalit reservation issue as his party has taken a strong public stance in favour of the Dalit community and other backward classes.

What is the real path for the emancipation of Dalits?
So far in India we have not translated political democracy into social democracy. Till the time we do not have equality in our system and in our society, there will be more cases like Rohith Vemula (Hyderabad University student who committed suicide after alleged harassment by administration) all over the nation.

A growing section of Dalits think that capitalism is best suited to their development. What is your opinion?
I do not agree with this idea advocated by Chandra Bhan Prasad (Dalit scholar). We need to reach out to the marginalized sections of society. As a neo-liberal state has no public employment, there is a need for developing a sensitive state, which can regulate capitalism.

Should there be reservation for Dalits in the private sector?
With globalization, public sector employment is going down at a rapid rate. Already the Dalit community enjoys some support from the private sector. There are fee exemptions in educational institutions like IITs.

Should the creamy layer be made ineligible for reservations?
Reservation is not an income generation or poverty alleviation programme. The idea is to give Dalits representation in bureaucracy and government. It is not fair to talk about creamy layer unless you have wholesome data in public domain about caste reality and socio-economic indicators.

Do you think the interests of Dalits will be best served under mainstream parties like BJP and Congress or under regional parties?
The interests of Dalits will be best served when they decide their own fate and not depend on any political party or favours from others.