Much Ado about Reservations

The whole of India has been exposed to a lot of drama around what can rightly be termed the most important socio-political issue of recent times - Reservation of seats in higher education for OBCs. Media came out with captivating reports on the protests by the"Youth for Equality", protests by the medicos across the country pioneered by the AIIMS students, some odd incidents of self-immolation attempts (thankfully, they were underplayed by the media), pro-reservations rallies taken out by JNU students, some clashes between the "pro" and the "anti" reservation students and activists, some add incidents were police clashed with the protesters (even though it was a peaceful protest) and lots and lots of debates and discussions on the pros and cons of this reservation proposal.
We also supplemented this with our own coffee table discussions, debates, some blogs and lot of other means of self-expression. There was an online petition created by some-one upholding the anti-reservation views. If you are interested you can find it at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ps0424/ . I got forwards from many asking me to send a message to the Prime Minister requesting him not to implement these recommendations on reservation. If you are interested you can also go to this website http://pmindia.nic.in/write.htm and send a message under the category "Social Justice" stating your views to the Prime Minister (and hope he cares).
In the whole debate, I was disheartened to see both sides coming out with some extreme views which are totally untrue, and not gentlemanly.
Though, I personall support anti-reservation views wholeheartedly, I am not of the opinion that reservation kills merit. But, reservation definitely defies the logic of a just and merit based system, where merit also means being at the right place at the right time or having the right background or backing. I was disheartened to see the whole issue turned into mockery by people claiming that reservation will also be introduced in Indian cricket team. I was even more disappointed to see the skewed views of the reservation supporters who argue without having proper data, or are not ready to accept the data presented to them. This includes the honorable HRD Minister himself. I was appalled to hear arguments like "it is high time Brahmins stop dominating, they have done injustice in the past, so they better pay now". Well, injustice was done to Jews, it would be ridiculous to claim that they go ahead and wipe out 10 million Germans now in revenge.
Anyway, the idea is not to go into the merits and demerits of the proposal. That, we are all doing, in various ways. But, what prompted to write here was some articles I came across, some very sensible articles, which will set us thinking. I would like to share that with you all.
One was a column by Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar which came in the Times of India last Sunday. You can read the article here - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1581082.cms where he takes on the argument of merit and argues against view that reservation kills merit. But, the views expressed in the article on what could be the "right" step to elevate the so called backward communities in the social strata are really worth noting. I wish our politicians were listening with a clear conscience.
The other one was a blog from an CNN-IBN employee which came in their blog section. This examines the facts very objectively, with a statisticians view. Please read the article at http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/sushantmehta/329/11476/this-seat-is-reserved.html.
Worth reading is also the transcript of the chat with Arjun Singh in the program Devil's Advocate. What stands out is the prejudice and malice our minister displays which defies all laws of democracy. Probably, it is just a reflection of our political system, a reflection of our society. Read this at http://www.ibnlive.com/news/devils-advocate-arjun-singh/11063-4.html.

Education is a greal leveler, many great men have said this. If it is so, why is it that a truth as bright as the sun does not shine upon the minds of our policy makers. Reservation will benefit only a very small section of the society, a section of the society that is already doing well for itself because of an educated penultimate generation. I would like to draw your attention once again to the views of Mr Aiyar, where he proposes introduction of quality primary and higher secondary education even in the remotest parts of India, possibly with a public-private participation. Can't we divert our energy and efforts to that. Isn't that a better way to go, a way to build a better India!!!