Sudhir KumarAIR 42 · CSE 2017 · 259 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Protective/Positive discrimination is the policy of granting special privileges to the exploited/marginalized and under-served sections of society who have faced historical downtrodden-ness.
Body · continuous prose
Indian society is based on notions of purity and pollution, huge inequality and a hierarchical social order. The lower castes were deprived of even basic human rights for over centuries. Thus they lagged behind when secular opportunities came by.
Thus protective discrimination by reserving seals for SCs/STs in legislative, employment, education, local self-government, balances two concepts - equality irrespective of caste, religion and social justice.
Women, disabled, OBCs, have also been given protective discrimination to become able to come at par with privileged ones and provide adequate representation in various institutions.
However, along with protecting, this policy also discriminates. Because it reenforces and even strengthens caste identity and related stigma, prejudices. Therefore, in present times, protective discriminated people are facing wrath of others and are being isolated.
It is alleged that it neglects economic status of a person and neglects the highly complex caste-class nexus.
Also it is said that it is at cost of meritocracy and promotes mediocrity. Therefore not good for overall advancement.
Close · a way forward
Actually, the problem is in politicization of the policy, Because our Constitution started this policy to finally lead to casteless society after some years. Thus it was supposed to be a stop-gap affair. But it is now being made irrevocable. The more marginalized among SCs/STs need this policy more as there is large intra-hierarchy too. Thus there is need of dialogue to find out common grounds for this policy for overall development.