Why had Mandal Commission becomea debatable issue in India?
Answers
The Mandal commission recommended for 27% reservation in jobs in government and public sector undertakings. Also an age relaxation of 5 to 10 years was to be given to those classes.
This created a lot of stir among people of forward castes and other castes. Suddenly they would lose jobs available to them. Many unemployed were not in OBC but they were not economically or socially well off. So reservations were a big hurdle for them.
Using caste as backwardness is not appropriate. Using caste for reservation results in unfair treatment of other castes. Also the performance of government and public sectors will suffer badly.
I think that caste should not be used as a parameter to define backwardness. It should be only economic status that should be used for backwardness. As in 21st century castes do not really matter in many social issues or for social status.
Also generations after generations ie., descendents after descendents of those who profited from reservations use reservations. If an IAS officer is selected using reservations, then his descendents need not be offered reservations. They are well off in social, educational and economic status.
The mandal commission had become a debatable issue because of the following reasons:
1. Newspapers and magazines were full of different views and opinions on the issue.
2. This led to widespread protest and counter protest, some were violent.
3. The people reacted strongly because this is unaffected thousands of job opportunities.
4. Some of the views that the existence of inequalities among people of different castes in India necessitated job reservation.
5. Others felt that this was unfair and it would deny equality of opportunities to those who did not belong to a backward community.
6. Some felt it was an obstacle to National unity.