Why I Support Reservation: A Letter From a Class 12 Student

“It’s shameful that people discriminate on the basis of caste,” writes Salil, a student from Bihar.

(The Quint received this comment on reservation from Salil Gaurav, a Class 12 student. The comment has been lightly edited to meet our style guidelines, but we have chosen to retain the idiosyncrasies of his writing style.)

Some time ago, I used to believe that the reservation system is sickening. I used to think it was killing the souls of the general category, dividing India, and crushing many dreams.

My views aren’t the same any more. Over the years, I began to appreciate the reservation system and although I demand a few amendments in it, I advocate the reservation system and think our current society needs it.

It has been 70 years since we became a free and democratic country, but it is shameful that people from the upper caste discriminate against those from the lower castes in several parts of our country.

I agree that mindsets are changing and that people are shedding their old and inhumane beliefs. People are trying to learn humanity and equality but discrimination is still visible in our society. “India lives in her villages” – Gandhi ji’s words are still valid today.

The condition of our Dalit brothers is still very poor. I agree that things are changing, but overall, several members of the Dalit community are unemployed and uneducated. Some cannot even afford a pen.

A few months ago, I used to believe that reservation should be given to those who do not have enough money. But now, I have started promoting reservation for those who are discriminated against.

I mean how can a human hate another human just because he/she belongs to a specific caste? This is a disturbing and depressing thought and I think reservation system can help eradicate this disease. By uplifting those who are discriminated against, we can create social change that India needs.

I know that it has its own cons. Just visit some Dalit communities in your city/village and see for yourself. Visit a private school and then see how many Dalits students are enrolled there.

I know that there are some rich and educated Dalits in our country too, but this is a very low number when you compare it with the upper caste. I also agree that there are some poor people from the upper castes as well but their numbers are low when compared to Dalits.

One day, I wondered why it was that the maid who washes my dishes is not from the upper caste. Why is it that the Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation workers who clean drains are not from the upper castes? I am sure that there are fewer upper caste people in these professions as compared with the lower caste people.

I also want to express my strong anger towards our politicians who are trying to divide our country. I am aware of those anti-national politicians who are playing vote bank politics in the name of reservation and castes. These days, politicians are using this system to fill their seats in the Parliament and this really disappoints me.

Before removing the reservation system, let's first fight the casteism in our society.

I can easily understand the pain of a hard-working, intelligent kid who belongs to an open category. I know how it feels after seeing the huge gap in the cut-off list. We can't do anything about that but let's face the challenge and fight along with the struggle. The doors are not closed for us. If we rid our society of the disease of casteism, I will be the first person to demand that we do away with reservation.

(Salil Gaurav is a Class 12 student from Bhagalpur, Bihar. This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)

(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at [e-mail]. We’ll make sure India gets your message)