What is mandal commission?Why did Mandal commission become the most hotly debated issue?
Answers
In 1979, the Government of India had appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission headed by B.P. Mandal, that was popularly called the Mandal Commission. The commission gave its report in 1980. One of its recommendations was that 27% of government jobs be reserved for the socially and educationally backward classes. On 6 August, 1990, the Union Cabinet took a formal decision to implement the recommendations. As a, result, this became hotly debated issue in the country. People reacted strongly because this decision affected thousands of job opportunities. It led to widespread protests and counter-protests, some of which were violent. People felt that this was unfair as it would deny equality of opportunity to those who did not belong to backward communities.
Mandal Commission
Explanation:
The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC) was established by the Indian government on January 1, 1979. It was head by B. P. Mandal and hence known as Mandal Commission. The mission of this commission was to identity socially and educationally backward classes of India in order for the government to bring in reservations for this group in public sector jobs. It was aimed at encouraging the development of the socially-disadvantaged class of people in order to achieve the right to equality. It was widely protested by opposition parties and students without knowing the details of the people that classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC). But later it was reported that nearly 55% of Indian population belonged to OBC.