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Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
As the 10 percent quota Bill sparks a nationwide debate, The Quint’s Chaupal visited Chamarajanagar, 180 kilometres from capital Bengaluru, to interact with the youth and find out whether they believe the proposed reservation will serve genuine beneficiaries.
The 10 percent quota Bill, which was passed in the Parliament, intends to provide reservation for the economically weaker sections among upper castes.
Everyone that The Quint spoke to were convinced that the quota Bill was an ill-thought measure that had been brought about with one eye on the upcoming 2019 elections. According to them, the proposed quota will benefit members of the upper caste who have already benefited from generations of upliftment and positive affirmation.
Other students described the proposed quota as one of the most “degrading and harmful” thing for Indian society. They believed that the Modi government was using the proposed quota as a “poll plank”, with no clarity on how it will be implemented or whether there are enough jobs to serve all those in need of one.
They also argued that while reversing economic inequality was one of the major poll promises that Modi has used, if the reservation comes into being, it would only widen the income and status gap.
Siddaraju B, another post-graduate political science student, felt the quota would only serve the Brahmin community and those that were already well-to-do. He also criticised the PM for posturing when he could have been working for the people.
Arguing that the criteria set forward by the government for being eligible for the 10 percent reservation would include 98 percent of the population, youngsters said that the quota promise was turning out to be a joke.
Instead of bringing about an arbitrary quota, these youngsters feel that the Modi government should have focused on job creation, strengthening primary and secondary education, wealth redistribution policies and other progressive, inclusive measures.
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