During the 72 years of independence the
social justice has not been dispensed full, still
many a marginalized sections remain either
unrepresented or under represented.
The present BJP rulers who have scant regard
for social justice are bringing measures fast for
the implementation of 10 per cent reservation
for EWS. In order to bring the 10 per cent
reservation for EWS (practically forward castes)
in the current academic year for the medical
college admission they are liberal for the
increase of 25 per cent of seats from the present
admission strength.
In the normal course when increase in seats
for medical college admission is sought, the
Centre through the Medical Council of India
(MCI) would visit the concerned medical
college and ensure the availability of adequate
infrastructure to suit the additional admission
strength, sought for.
No such formalities have been observed
in enhancing the 25 per cent increase in
the medical admission for the purpose of
implementing the reservation for EWS. No
specific stipulation from the side of Medical
Council of India for increasing the seats. When
the question of weakening the social justice
dispensation, the anti-forces of social justice
would go to any extent.
It is noteworthy to learn from the past when
reservation for OBC were made mandatory in
the Central higher educational institutions like
IIM, IIMS etc. through the 93rd Constitutional
(Amendment) Act in 2006. When notification
was issued by the Central government, the
implementation of the total reservation of 27
per cent for OBCs was staggered for 3 years,
to begin with 9 per cent in the first year and
additional 9 per cent for the every successive
years. When the staggered implementation was
questioned, it was explained by the government
that the infrastructure was not adequate in the
institutions for the immediate implementation
of 27 per cent reservation.Want of infrastructure was cited as a hurdle for
the implementation of 27 percent reservation
for OBCs in toto; whereas infrastructure is not
at all an issue for the implementation of 25
per cent increase in the medical seats in order
to provide reservation for EWS. The double
standard of anti-forces of social justice is
blatantly visible today.
When the total reservation of 69 per cent came
into force in Tamil Nadu in 1994, the same anti
social forces were raising voices on how the total
reservation can exceed the cap of 50 per cent by
quoting the verdict of the Supreme Court. The
same anti forces are keeping mum, since it is
advantageous to them the implementation of
10 per cent EWS even when the total reservation
cap exceeds in certain states.
When the MCI issued notification for the
enhancement of 25 percent of medical seats,
almost all the States have conceded to it without
knowing the detrimental effect it would cause to
the overall reservation policy and the purpose
behind it.
Only two States – Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
have not accepted the offer of MCI and the
deadline for the acceptance by the States is over.
Tamil Nadu is the cradle of social justice,
showing the pioneering leadership more in the
social justice direction including the exclusive
enactment for the reservation policy for the
first time in the whole of the country exceeding
the cap of reservation of 50 per cent under the
ideological command of Dravidar Kazhagam,
founded by Periyar. The opposition party,
DMK has openly commented that 10 per cent
reservation for EWS is a slow poison to social
justice. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has
announced in the floor of Legislative Assembly
to act as per the consensus evolved by the
convened meeting of all parties. Hope Tamil
Nadu would maintain its solidarity and distinct
identity against any move that dilutes and
distorts social justice!The Modern RationalistJuly 2019
The same anti forces of social justice are keeping mum,
since it is advantageous to them on the implementation
of 10 per cent EWS even when the total reservation cap
exceeds in certain states.