Affirmative Action as an Instrument of Equity and Social
Justice
Prof. G. Surender Reddy
The
Constitution of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic of India, promises
social justice and equality of status and opportunity to all its citizens. In
consonance with the vision and the mission of the nation as envisaged in the
preamble as well as the fundamental rights and the directive principles of
state policy enshrined in the constitution, reservations have been provided in
government jobs and admissions to educational institutions. This provision has
been extended and expanded from time to time. It is essentially a form of legal
remedy to redress the injustices suffered by the under privileged sections of
the society. How far this measure has served the intended purpose to uplift the
down-trodden is a moot question. But, there have been proponents and opponents
of this policy with equally strong and valid arguments. Although some people
have certain reservations on the policy of reservation, since ending
discrimination is the challenge and responsibility of every citizen of India,
it must be accepted as a social commitment.
India’s
newly elected United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has consciously
included in its common minimum programme (CMP) its aim to seek job reservations
in the private sector also to the weaker sections of the country. This has
caused both jubilation and heartburn. The debate on the issue has unfortunately
generated more heat than light. This is because no objective and impartial
assessment and evaluation has been made so far on the policy and scheme of
reservation. A systematic social cost benefit analysis was never even
attempted. People have been merely taking stand on the issue which suits them
or serves their interests social, economic or political.
Equality
is a noble cause and widely accepted ideal. Level playing field is indeed
justifiably pursuable goal. Is the policy of the reservation the only way of
achieving this objective? Are there no alternatives? Are not the quotas
divisive? Cannot we come up with new initiatives to correct the long-standing
social maladies?
There are
no politically correct answers to the above questions. And also, there are no
easy solutions to the many social evils plaguing our pluralistic society, of
which the inequities of the past is a significant one. However, many
well-meaning people of the country have been advocating proactive policies to
improve the lot of the disadvantaged backward classes. In other words, instead
of giving them fish, we should make them learn fishing. The society must equip
them with the knowledge skills and the where -withal to face the challenges of
competition. The necessary resources must be earmarked towards this goal and
purpose. These oppressed people must be offered freedom from dependence, so
that they will enjoy freedom from prejudice. One of the possible and positive
approaches to create a level playing field and equality of opportunities to all
citizens of our country is affirmative action, which deserves a serious
consideration. In fact, affirmative action is a step ahead of providing equal
opportunities. It focuses on capacity building.
What’s
affirmative action? Does it really work? Naturally, these questions and doubts
arise in our minds. Simply stated, affirmative action is a progressive agenda
to positively impact the society to eliminate poverty, prejudice and neglect.
This can be achieved through education, social initiative, cultural change and
judicial support. Where there is a societal will, there is always a socially
acceptable way to redress any social injustice. Affirmative action is
re-endorsement of human values. It is a mandate for just society. Affirmative
action can involve and include:
(i) A tailor-made training activity to impart
social skills to improve employability.
(ii)Providing
better education and healthcare.
(iii)Enhancing
the quality of living conditions.
(iv)Showing
positive bias or reverse discrimination towards the poor and the needy.
Affirmative
action does not create any creamy layers that do not allow the benefits to
percolate to the people at the bottom. It can be better packaged and
effectively delivered to the targeted groups who actually deserve the support.
Affirmative
action, being a social responsibility of every citizen, every organization, the
government and the NGOs, is expected to yield quicker and better results. It is
not constrained by quotas. The only constraint is apathy, if any. The
collective will and social wisdom will ensure the success of the programs
planned and designed as part of affirmative action. Affirmative action is an
icon of the civil society. No one will grudge granting modest advantages to less
privileged brethren of our society, for it is more than fair and is certainly
humane. It is not pragmatic to have an entirely homogenous society, but
egalitarian community is a distinct possibility.
Affirmative
action need not be confined to a particular group, class or caste. It can cover
a wide canvas extending to every section of the society who have been victims
of discrimination or neglect in one form or the other. They include women,
minorities, the tribals, the aged and the handicapped. This approach has its
merit in its policy of non-exclusion, while actively promoting inclusion. It
has less adverse side effects as compared to the policy of reservation.
Affirmative action alone guarantees and strengthens unity in diversity. Proper
recognition and respect for diversity promotes fraternity and solidarity. If
any lacunae are found in the affirmative action practiced elsewhere, we have to
mend and adapt it to suit our social realities and ethnic complexities. Let’s
strive for the ideal of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbikam’.
“Sarve
jano sukhino bhavantu”
Prof. Neil Johnson, a physicist at the University of Oxford
said “The wierd world of Quantum Mechanics suggests tme travel could one day be
possible through tiny holes, loops in the fabric of space-time.” An young
Indian at MIT, Anand Dorai has enthusiastically taken up the project of time
travel.
-Courtesy
The Hindu