‘Reservations are affirmative action, not an anti-poverty programme’

Disagreeing with statements such as “justice for all and appeasement of none”, Varha Ayyar, social activist, said they should be viewed as 'dangerous' and need to be addressed seriously as history clearly indicates there was preferential treatment to some sections of society.

Delivering the first lecture of the Goa Art and Literary Festival’s Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Lecture series on ‘Ambedkar and Reservations’ at International Centre Goa on Saturday, Ms. Ayyar, who is assistant professor at Tata Institute of Social Studies, Mumbai, advocated reservations as a powerful affirmative weapon to address problems emerging from over-representation of some in higher paying jobs and opportunities. Calling it a policy framework aimed at bringing about basic changes in social composition and ending social exclusion and discrimination in society, she lamented attempts to position it as against merit.

She said reservations are not an anti-poverty or redistribution of resources programme but rather affirmative action.

“Caste is a complicated problem and it does play a very, very important role. It cannot be eradicated by dropping names and inter-caste marriages. Over-representation of some sections and under-representation of minorities and underprivileged castes needs to be addressed,” she remarked.

Giving examples, she said over-representation of deprived sections is as high as 93 per cent in unorganised low-paying jobs.

In reply to a question she rejected the contention that British reinforced the caste system, saying “they extensively documented it.”