Question From Mr. Devidas :  

I read few articles and your open petition.I wish to comment about few foundation articles on web: (I read about Mandal commission report: )You highlighted all positive aspects of Mandal commission report. Their 11 point scale and lot more…… But what about the %sample of total population used for survey and amount of time taken by commission (this has not been mentioned anywhere)? Is it appears that part is cut down but why?Findings of that very intelligent 11point scale of backwardness are not relevant without knowledge of sample data it applied on.(then why you should not include sample % as well)Most of the articles about Mandal report praises this Indicators of backwardness but seldom talk about inadequate data used for the survey any more inadequate time (Ref: MANDAL COMISSION REPORT) Also, Kelkar commission report has many sound findings and its forward letter has many worth noting key sentences (However, its pity that no one try to highlight those excellent findings and sentences; any one may  highly appreciated, but it has been possibly avoided as that do not match with your outlook). Why it has not been exhibited fairly? 

Answer from OBCReservation.com 

Dear Devidas,This is to sincerely thank you for sparing time to visit our website and record your reservations. 

1. Your first criticism about the Mandal findings is that it is a sample survey carried out within inadequate time. I wish you had first studied the processes followed by Mandal Commission (MC) before criticizing.   However that has not been the tradition of the upper caste elites under the Brahminical hegemony. History of last 3000 years is replete with many such examples: Baliraja, Ekalvya, Charvak, Manusmriti full of draconian dictates debarring Shudra-ati-shudras from accessing education or any form of wealth, refusing to coronate Shivaji Maharaj, Shahoo Maharaj (Vedokta/Puaranokta controversy), denial of admission to widowed sister of Vitthal Ramji Shinde (a well known socio-political crusader) by Mahrshi Karve in his Hingane Mahila Ashram (Hostel)  due to she being from backward caste, murder of Mahatma Gandhi,… etc. this list could go on endlessly. 

I hope you are aware of this history and also rigorous socio-historical-anthropological processes to derive inferences relevant for present and future social reengineering.

2. It is not clear on what basis you feel it is inadequate sample size and time. Let us recap the facts:

 

a)  Janata Party Govt. appointed Mandal Commission (MC) on 1 st January 1979 with duration of 1 year. It got two extensions and submitted its report on 31st December 1980 (i.e. two years) to Mr. Zail Singh, Home Minister in Indira Gandhi's Cabinet.

 

b)   Eminent social scientists and research institutes such as Delhi University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TSS) were actively involved in devising 11 stringent tests for deciding socially, educationally & economically backward castes. Detail schedules were designed for collecting data.

 

c)      Two villages and one urban block were randomly selected from every district and 100% population was surveyed. Sociological survey of this size and depth was and is unprecedented not only in India but perhaps in the world.

 

d)     This data was processed by National Informatics Centre (NIC), New Delhi and above mentioned tests were applied to identify Other Backward Castes. So it would be crystal clear that this gigantic exercise was carried out to identify 3743 backward castes on the basis of contemporary status. 1931 census data was one of the sources used to estimate the population of so identified castes.

 

e)     It is true that 1931 census was the last caste wise enumeration. 1941 census was cancelled due to World War II. After independence, Nehru Govt. and the upper caste elites dropped caste enumeration under the ostensible guise of avoiding social divide. Nowhere in the world social scientists avoid recording the facts under any such excuses.

 

f)      Black and white racial divide in USA is well known. However, for more than six decades USA census has been collecting more and more racial details to profile its society accurately. USA has aggressively initiated affirmative action (probably based on reservation policy in Indian constitution) and has considerably reduced this divide.

 

g)     Since 1951 backward castes have been consistently demanding re-enumeration of castes in census so as to bring out the stark reality about OBCs. It is one of the strong plea of MC. OBCs are not afraid of facing the truth, while upper caste elites is afraid of revealing the truth and want to permanently push it under the carpet and hypocritically argue about lack of fresh data. None of the upper caste controlled media, while delivering sermons about standards, quality and knowledge age ever bothered to publish this real story about MC. None of the sources often quoted by elites peg OBCs below 34%. GOI's policy of releasing quota in three years without reducing availability of general category would mean paltry 9% reservation this year. Even then SC bench of Justices Arjit Pasayat & Lokeshwar Singh Panta could unabashedly state that if they had waited for 57 years, they could wait for one more year. It is an excellent example of Brahminical arrogance and insensitivity. Despite cornering 85% of power centres by mere 15% upper castes, this inhuman attitude of elites perfectly matches with the despotic Brahminical history of last 3000 years.

 

h)     So it was not MC's fault that 1931 data was to be used. In order to estimate as accurately as possible, it employed the rigorous scientific process. State Govts. have been collecting various caste statistics over a period of time. MC directed States to use all available data and extrapolate 1931 figures by using well established statistical estimation methods under the guidance of TISS.

 

i)        I am amused to see this opposition to sampling method. Entire medical, pharmaceutical and several other researches are purely based on sampling methods. You would find every one's mother also uses this method every day in kitchen to determine whether food is cooked properly or not. While criticizing MC on frivolous grounds no one has ever dared to discuss the processes followed by MC. Despite the fact that the full constitutional bench of 9 judges of SC has validated recommendations of MC through its judgment on 16 th November 1992, the upper caste elites repeatedly raise the same arguments and with the connivance of upper caste dominated bureaucracy & judiciary stall the long overdue rights of OBCs.   

 

 

Devidas, why are you so oblivious to these facts? 

3. Your another complaint in your own words is 

" Also, Kelkar commission report has many sound findings and its forward  letter has many worth noting key sentences (However, its pity that no one try to highlight those excellent findings and sentences; any one  may highly appreciated, but it has been possibly avoided as that do not match with your outlook)."  

I think you are referring to Kaka Kalelkar Commission which submitted its report on March 30, 1955 which identified 2399 backward castes and made recommendations similar to MC. However, this may be a universally unique case where after investigating subject matter for two years and finalizing the report, Chairman of the Commission in a forwrding letter, shamelessly disowns its recommendations. This may perfectly fit the Brahmincal tradition, but does not pass the simple test of decency; leave aside the highest standards of ethics, truth and responsibility towards people.  Let us look at some of the "worth noting key sentences" from this forwarding letter.

 

a)     "Backwards neglected education and therefore remained backward. If they have now realized their mistake, then it is their responsibility to makeup for the lost time…"

 

b)     "Those who neglected education in the past demanding preferential treatment in Govt. jobs is grossly unjust,…"

 

c)      "I am a staunch opponent of reservation in any society for a simple reason that jobs are not for the employees; they are for servicing the society…"

 

d)     "If backwards totally rely on the sense of justice of the State ( i.e. bureaucracy & administration), instead of demanding reservation, that would be more beneficial for them, ethically and materially…."   

 

In other words, Kalelkar is suggesting that OBCs are inherently or genetically inferior and therefore themselves responsible for their backwardness. It not only smacks of Brahminical arrogance, contradicts primary principles of evolution of homo sapien and is blatantly unhistorical. Phule, Shahu, Ambedkar, Gandhi, Lohia are our guides and philosophers. They have taught us that denial of education to Shudra-ati-shudras for thousands of years and several forms of socio-cultural-economic exploitation of the toiling masses is the root cause. This has forced extreme poverty and inhuman existence on the majority of 85% Bahujan. Various Human Development Indices (HDR) show that we are in the last quartile amongst 200 and odd nations and far below Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc. If upper caste holding 85% of power had demonstrated their quality, we would have been far higher in the ranking. 

 

e)     According to Kalelkar the Govt. bureaucracy is meant for the service of people. However, upper caste dominated Indian bureaucracy is the globally worst example of inefficiency, corruption and insensitivity. Unless the representatives of 85% Bahujan participate in the administration, it will not be able to serve the people.

 

f)      15% upper castes under the hegemony of 3.5% Brahmins are wielding 85% of decision making power. This is undemocratic structure. Reservation is a democratic fight for the empowerment of the masses.

 

g)     Kalelkar oppose reservation because it would be a burden on the Govt. exchequer. This exchequer is created out of the contributions from toiling 85% masses. And therefore this should be used for their development. Institutes of higher education such as IITs,  IIMs are fully supported by the exchequer. Upper castes get educated in these institutes with the intention of migrating to west. This loot is to be stopped forthwith.

 

Honestly, I fail to understand how any "key sentence" is appealing when the edifice of the letter and major arguments are so vicious. However, if your conscience allows it, I have no comment.    

4. There is a very small section of OBCs who have progressed in the field of education, employment or business. Naturally it has to be constantly in the company of upper caste elites.

a)     Due to peer pressure some of them try to conform to the Brahminical value framework forgetting their own roots. In some cases their inferiority complex forces them to imitate upper caste elites. Insistent propaganda by media and surrounding elites make them tow the upper caste line under the guise of equality or fair play. Proving their conformance with elites becomes their dire need.

 

b)     Educating such OBC section is not our primary objective. Our commitment is to the 85% of the toiling masses. Our objective is to give them identity, self confidence and make them aware of their rights.

 

c)      We 85% Bahujan are the real owner of this country. By restricting education, employment and decision making power to 15% upper castes the nation is deprived of exploiting the huge hidden talent in the Bahujans. In the process, upper castes are themselves loosing in the global race. Unfortunately, they fail to learn that lesson from China, Malaysia, Korea, and many other Asian countries.

 

d)     OBC reservation is one of the front of our struggle for the constitutional rights and empowerment of the toiling masses.