Savitribai Phule is often referred to as the mother of Indian feminism. She was the first female teacher in Pune and hence, the first person to open a school for only girls. One of her main concerns was to eliminate the discrimination of Dalits, the so-called “untouchable” caste, and specifically, of women, which was deeply-rooted in society. Her efforts fighting for girls’ education during the 19th century brought about a range of initiatives dedicated to this same cause. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’, the Right to Education Act and the Mid-Day Meal Program (provides one free meal a day to children in governmental and other public schools to encourage children to come to school) are only a few of the governmental programs and legal frameworks launched to include all members of society in education, regardless of their background.[i] Another legal governmental scheme of this nature is the so-called quota or reservation system, which is very specific to Indian society.
The Quota or Reservation system is a kind of affirmative action where a certain percentage of available seats in governmental jobs, public sector jobs as well as public (and private) educational institutes are reserved for specific social classes. After India’s independence in 1947/1950 (independence/Constitution), this reservation system was introduced as a way of giving underrepresented social groups easier access to education and jobs. Hence, it is in a way an attempt to rectify the horrible discrimination many social groups, especially specific lower castes, faced during a long period of time. Since its introduction, the quota system has been modified several times and new quotas have been introduced. Before continuing the explanation of how the educational quota system works, which is something that Savitribai Phule may be proud of if she were still alive, a basic understanding of how Indian society is built up is necessary.
To explain the entire Indian caste system seems like an impossible task and even though we Euroculture students have lived here for a few months now, we would be lying if we said we understand how it works with all its complexities. Even Indians we know admit that they themselves have not figured out 100% how the caste system works, except how it affects their own social and political lives. Since a basic understanding of how it works is a prerequisite to understanding how the quota system works, here goes an attempt of explaining it. Any additions would be much appreciated.
In India, for a very long time all Hindus were divided according to the first and most significant hymns of Hindu scripture from 1500-1000 B.C. This means that they were divided into four different varnas, it is to say, classes which are hierarchically structured: first, the Brahmin class which consisted of priests, second, the Kshatriya caste, which consisted of warriors, third, the farmer or artisans class known as Vaisyas and finally, the Shudra class, whose job was to serve the upper three classes. People belonging to the fourth category, which was no longer part of this class system were known as “untouchables,” who were considered as “classless.”[ii] An additional factor that defines caste is the jati, which is defined by occupation. Accordingly, there are uncountable sub-castes, which are often region specific.[iii]
With independence and the drafting of the Indian Constitution, discrimination on the basis of caste because illegal. Nevertheless, it persisted not only with Hindu Indians, but also among Indian Muslims, Christians, and many other minority religions. The reservation or quota system was, as mentioned, an attempt of positive discrimination to make up for the cruel treatment of lower caste members of society.
In general, no more than 50% of all seats can be caste-reserved. Furthermore, each state decides which percentages goes to which caste. A professor from the Department of Sociology at Savitribai Phule Pune University explained to me the specifics of the quota system in Maharashtra. All percentages go to sub-castes of the group previously known as “untouchables” and nowadays referred to as “Dalits.” This caste suffered from severe discrimination by the rest of society for more than a century. In Maharashtra, 13% of seats go to SC (scheduled castes), 7% to ST (schedules tribes), 19% to OBC (other backward classes) and 11% to DTNT (denotified tribes and nomadic tribes). Within these caste-categories, smaller percentages are distributed to specific sub-castes. Consequently, governmental institutes start the admission process by filling up seats of the open category (the other 50%) according only to merit (whoever gets the highest scores on the entrance exams) and regardless of the student’s caste background. Once these sits are filled up, the reserved seats are filled up according to the rankings of scores within each category.
As someone who did not grow up with the label of caste or within a caste identity, it is difficult to comprehend how the entire caste system affects one’s personal, social and political life in so many ways. Although some state that the caste system is not effective anymore, many others believe that it will take decades and maybe even centuries for it not to influence many aspects of one’s life anymore. Consequently, the quota or reservation system which acts as a type of positive discrimination of lower castes, represents a very controversial topic within Indian society. There are many people who are for it, but just as many who are against it. Some of the best arguments in favor and against it will be revealed here:
In favor of the reservation system:
– It has helped many under-represented social classes to receive equal opportunity and to thus obtain higher education and leading positions in top companies.
– It promotes the idea of social justice, which is a basic human right.
– It goes against the concept of only educating the rich, or people belonging to a certain caste, but focuses on bringing all of society to the same level of education.[iv]
Against the reservation system:
– It is seen as a type of “ethnic discrimination,” which as a further consequence may prevent inter-caste marriages.
– It legitimizes the caste system itself. Like this, the concept of caste will never be abolished.
– Since merit is not the primary criteria of getting a seat at any governmental institution, people are not doing their best academic-wise (which frustrates people from the open category whose seat is “taken away” by someone who may have scored a lot less than them).
– “Instead of asking for upliftment, people are asking for reservations.”[v] Positive discrimination is still a form of discrimination. There should be equal opportunity for everyone. Poor people from “forward classes” do not have the same advantages as people who may belong to one of the lower castes, but are financially stable.
Most Indians I have asked about the caste system were against it, but this is probably because they were not from the lower castes who benefit from this system. They said it is very closely linked to politics and since a major part of India’s population belongs to the lower castes, it will probably never be abolished, since political parties are afraid of losing these peoples’ votes. However, I have also come across some who are in favor of the reservation system. Then again, many others said that it should be changed in a way that gives away seats not based on caste, but only based on people’s annual income.
Overall, the quota or reservation system has been and continues to be a very country-specific polemic issue in India, but I think Savitribai Phule would be proud to know that her country has progressed from horribly discriminating against Dalits to positively discrimination against them, at least in this way. Whether it stays the way it is or not, some people will be happy and some will be unhappy with it, no doubt about it. But then again, what political decision could make approximately 1,3 billion people happy?
[i] Suchismita Pai, “TBI Heroes: Savitribai, The Mother of Modern Girls’ Education in India,” The Better India, 15 October 2013, http://www.thebetterindia.com/8464/tbi-heroes-savitribai-the-mother-of-modern-girls-education/ (accessed 7 November 2016).
[ii] “Reservations in India,” Ambedkar.org, http://www.ambedkar.org/News/reservationinindia.pdf (accessed 16 November 2016), 1-81, here: 4.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Puja Mondal, “Reservation System in India: Concept, Arguments and Conclusions,” Your Article Library, http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/reservation-system-in-india-concept-arguments-and-conclusions/24973/ (accessed 16 November 2016).
[v] I Support Narendra Modi. Journalist One, “Exclusive : Narendra Modi’s Views on Caste Based Reservation in India !,” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bHzEez7Q0I (accessed 16 November 2016), minute: 0:26-0:30.
Savitribai Phule and Women's Education in India 