The Paradox of Quota: 50% in IITs

Too much of salt destroys the tastes of a dish.

The makers of constitution came up with the plan of a quota system to break through the age old barriers of casteism -one of the most rigid form of social stratification that continues to intrigue sociologists all over the world-and carry along the socially backward castes on the path of social progress. It was their dream to slowly stop casteism and bring the socially backward people into the mainstream. Little did they realise that the so-called 'Quota Raj' will keep the caste system very much alive and kicking.

Student society in modern day residential institutes is perhaps the most egalitarian one. There is no discrimination between students on caste, creed or religion for that matter. Yes, there always are losers who are pretty extremist and discriminatory in belief; nevertheless they are a minority.

But that doesn't mean that everything is alright. The lawmakers of this country don't bother to make a microscopic observation into the educational system and walk the rope cautiously. The recent decision to bring forth 50% reservation in IITs is a disturbing fact. It is disturbing not only because it will destroy the face value of IITs and the overall standard of students being admitted via merit from a time tested JEE exam, but also because it will give rise to a worse form of caste system in IITs.

The curriculum in IITs is so tough that academic excellene usually falls in the way of only those who are meritiously selected. There is presently 22.5% quota in admission. I doubt if any analysis has been made on academic performance of students admitted via quotas but the general notion here in IIT is that they underperform except but a few exceptions. I don't mean that they are inferior in any way -most of these students are good in campus activities and represents IITs in Inter-IIT sports meet too. I just mean that they lag behind in the primary race meant for IITians.

Secondly, even though we have an egalitarian life here, feelings of superiority/inferiority still remain. This is a place where you are sneered at if you aren't smart enough in tough mathematical problems. This is a place where degree projects are highly research oriented and need a lot of technical acumen. Finally, this is a place where you are either 'in the race' or 'out of the race'. There is little scope for picking up later. Besides, it is observed that students coming in via reservations aren't much interactive with the professors.

Thirdly, the term in IIT as an undergraduate student has a great influence on a person's psyche and personality. Because of the various reasons described in the previous paragraph, these students lose their confidence in themselves and develop an inferiority complex which is a very serious matter. It may create problem when he is exposed to the world outside the campus.

Finally, it needs mention that IIT society is very much an egalitarian society now. But predictions are that the classless student community will give way to a student stratification if 50% reservation is implemented. It will be a harm to both the student community and the institutes. IITs will lose their face value, their research manpower and fewer successful alumni. The student community can't grow in outlook and personality in a society with classes as good as it does now and campus placements will become unpredictable.

Nor does the government gain anything from this. There are no major demands for reservations in IITs. I don't know what the present government wants to prove (thats for political analysts to decide) but rather than destroying the gems in its crown, taking social measures for upliftment of the backwards is a more intelligible option. Great many people are getting jobs in UP and other states with fake quota certificates, tribal community is at loggerhead with the government over industrialization and ceizure of their lands and the backward caste people of rural areas -the ones facing real discrimination -are still in their sad state. Quota in prestigious institutes isn't the reply to these problems. Salt isn't the right ingredient if chocolate isn't sweet.