The article “Privilege, opportunities, and ‘merit'” by K.S. Jacob (May 30) has rightly pointed to the prejudice faced by backward class students. A Schedule Caste student, I faced a similar situation in a so-called elitist college in Pune. I got good marks in school and the reputed college was a natural choice. But I found it extremely difficult to adapt to the atmosphere there. Some poor students and students from Marathi medium schools also suffered. Unfortunately, our teachers never tried to bring such students into the mainstream. There were divisions in the classroom. All this reflected in the performance of the poor and backward students. They lost confidence in themselves. The meagre scholarship they received at the end of the academic year added insult to injury.
I agree with Professor Jacob's view that the success of our reservation policy should be judged on the basis of whether it has resulted in the equality of outcomes.
Ajinkya Mohan Sonawane,Pune
I strongly believe that people who are denied opportunities for social mobility in the name of caste should be helped to get more space in a democracy. But in the name of reservation, the meritorious who are economically backward should not suffer. I belong to an ‘upper' caste family which is very poor. While I was in college, I had to copy a whole textbook because my father could not afford to buy it for me.
But I was the only student in my batch who qualified the UGC-NET while doing M.Sc. After completing the course, I wrote the test to qualify for Assistant Professor and secured the fifth rank. I am yet to be appointed. The eighth rank holder whose father was a bank manager was appointed in the reservation quota. Then, I wrote the test to qualify as a lower division clerk. I am still a clerk in the State government.
Latha Sukumaran,Palakkad
Prof. Jacob contributes articles on myriad problems faced by the marginalised sections. I salute such people who constantly think of the difficulties the underprivileged face in achieving upward mobility.
The remedies are not easy to implement. But we have to pursue them ceaselessly. The article on May 30 was a masterpiece. It should be read by all those who are responsible for ensuring the equality of outcomes.
Col. P. Jeyaraj (retd.),Coimbatore
