What to see it as, reservation or representation

First of all,  this article is an attempt to explore the Indian reservation system which is one of the imperial drawings of the constitution. It is a mere attempt to understand the need of reservation and representation and about how often the terms can turn perplexing and make things difficult for interpretation.

Our constituent assembly (CA) which was convened basically for drafting the constitution is an congregation of members from different communities,  languages, regions, religions and cultures. This was certainly to include aspects into the constitution which respected all diversities and this lead to a very bulky,  compact and clear cut documentation of constitution.
B R Ambedkar, who's considered the father of constitution, and many other members of CA representing different backward and oppressed had put their heart in ensuring that constitution essentially included the following two aspects. Upholding the dignity of backward classes,  and reforms which stimulated backward classes to come into forefront were taken,  which is basically the 'reservation system'.
So the most important observation here is that "representation lead to reservation".

So setting the ground very clear on the aspect that reservation was the aspiration of the representatives, let us analyse the aspect of rift or opposition rampant these days.
Many consider that this system is not helping the people who actually need it but rather helping the economically forward more and more.
And many also consider that with inclusion of more and more communities into reserved category is making paradoxically the 'forward category' a minority.

We must understand here that first of all the aim of reservation system was not only to make the 'backward classes' economically forward but also socially forward. This is one of the main reasons why the reservation system which was initially meant to be employed for only ten years has been constantly increased. It is fundamental to understand that prejudice of this sort still exists in our society to make even the forward classes embrace the reservation policy even though they have to sacrifice a part of their piece of cake.
Caste divide is as existent as patriarchy and it is just that some times we fail to notice it. No matter what it always surfaces out when we talk about a matrimonial alliance with a person of a so called lower caste or voting for a contestant out of your caste.
Coming to the paradox of making the forwards the minority, it is definetly a balance of numbers when new communities come into bc category then at same time more competition will be in the reserved category,  but this phenomenon is not acceptable. This creates new divisions which hereon arise by the State's policies rather than the ageold caste system. And also the general category becoming a 'minority' seems unfair and contradictory to the very essence of 'democracy'. So I believe that different welfare approaches should be taken for upliftment of backward classes in cases where the reservation policy is not able to create results and is not helping the people who actually need it.

#Reservation Vs Representation
Reservation for women and backward classes in academic institutions, parliaments and other houses of legislature (even the panchayat raj system) has been something that people have a mixed opinion on.
But this is the topic that I have chosen to define and understand the nature of reservation and representation.
Representation of women in houses of governance and legislature is a move which has led to drawing of attention to some important issues like triple talaq, dowry act,  marital rape ( though no legislation was done on this issue it was able to draw much attention). But this kind of representation is also a kind of reservation in nominated candidates that a particular political party has to decide on before contesting elections and that could lead to breach of the opportunity of potential candidates. But at the same time representation in house is imperial for creating an all cultures empathetic assembly.

Coming to reservation of seats in academic institutions for women and backward classes we have to revisit the motives of educational institutions to understand whether they are essential or not.
Many historic universities and government runned institutions have their basic motives as developing scientific temper, instilling the spirit of questioning, fighting social evils through education,  providing education to poor students and so forth. So ,on this basis the reservation policy which in deed helps in educating the poor and backward and instilling in young minds the power of questioning and fighting against social evils is a no wrong.
But in the premier institutions like IITs (and IIMs)  which were basically established (by visionary Jawaharlal Nehru)  to bring in scientific and technological progress in the nation, to bring out worldclass scientists and technologists from outstanding students. Considering the motives of these institutions it feels that in some ways the reservation policy is coming in way of real merit for the sake these institutions were actually established for. So in some academic institutions reservation can be considered as representation but not in all cases.  Representation is a pro democracy policy and reservation is a pro welfare state policy. Both are necessary but 'welfare state policies ' should not be overdone. As too many incentives to poor can lead to workforce apathy. Too many of  welfare policies can cause anti- democratic effects.