The protest against reservation headed by the medical students of All India Medical Science, New Delhi, supported by IIT students all over the country, is becoming increasingly louder in the media ever since Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh announced 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in higher professional studies.

In direct response to the protest rally against reservation, Dalit (SC, ST and OBC) leaders in Delhi formed Pro-Reservation Front under the leadership of Udit Raj, President of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and India Justice Party on 6 May 2006. The move had also been supported by the Christian community across India under the leadership of All India Christian Council and the Muslim community.

Udit Raj was unanimously elected President of Pro-Reservation Front to lead the Dalits to ensure the implementation of the HRD minister’s proposal of reservation for the backward class communities. Raj said since IIT had also been for the backward classes, it should be for Dalit communities too.

At a meeting recently, Pro-Reservation Front decided to call a day of Pro-Reservation Rally soon at Parliament Street, New Delhi to signal the support of Dalit community to the United Progressive Alliance Government’s proposal of 27 per cent reservation for OBC students.

Dalit Response

There have been enquiries about why no Dalit leaders have come out to confront the much organised protest against reservation headed by the medical students of All India Medical Science and supported by ITT students. Udit Raj has been on the front to confront the protest rally against reservation.

The message on a placard during the anti-reservation rally read “Do not divide Indian youth on caste basis”. What does the message “Do not divide Indian Youth on caste basis” really mean? The anti-reservation protest by Upper Caste students with the message actually means just the opposite. It means the division of Indian youth on the basis of caste, which has been there for centuries, should remain the same by not allowing OBC students to come up to compete with Upper Caste students.

Upper Caste students’ unwillingness to share 27 per cent quota for OBC students and existing 21.5 per cent for SC and ST students is a clear sign of their deep-rooted desire to dominate the majority community in India.

Whatever is known outside about India today has been only the reflection of micro-population of Indian elites. Indian elites happen to be among only Upper Caste communities, who have control of Indian politics, economy, education, industries and so on. The potential of Indian economic growth, the strength of India IT professions, blooming of Indian industries and possibility of India becoming a global power have always been at the hands of Indian elites. The real picture of India has not been revealed to the whole world. India cannot become a global power at the hands of the micro-Upper Caste community without the support of the vast majority of SC, ST, OBC and other minority communities.

India Shining can be possible only when Indian Dalits are empowered through education and economic development. To happen this, special provision should be given to the backward classes. Indian-haves should not be so self-conscious when millions of Indian have-nots feel happy with HRD minister’s proposal of 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes.