Simmering couldron

Fact sheet:

The medical students and junior doctors from the top 5 colleges in Delhi have been on hunger strike for almost 3 days now. Sitting under the canopy raised in front of the AIIMS teaching block, the 'youth for equalty', as they call themselves, have made sure their voice is heard loud and clear. Their demand: to roll back the extra-reservation. In a recent notification, AIIMS faculty has supported the cause of their pupils.

"We don't want extra-reservation. Roll it back," cry the placards and the sound box placed at the protest area. Posters that read "We will fight till the end. Your end," "We are left with no other choice. U.S and U.K here we come," "Teach a man how to fish and he will make a living, but give fish to a man and he will eat, drink and make merry," were spotted at the protest area. The demands of the medical students and junior doctors include forming a judicial committee to look into extra-reservation issue and taking action against the police involved in brutal action against the protesting students in Delhi, Mumbai and other places.

While Arjun Singh, the union minister for HRD isn't budging from his earlier stance of implementing 27 per cent reservation for the socially and educationally backward class (SEdBC) students in all central educational institutes, the protestors are getting support from various quarters. Medical students all over the country are now showing their support to their Delhi counterparts in some way or the other. Wearing black badges, boycotting classes and medical duty, strikes and rallies have been reported from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and other places. It is a known thing that even some cabinet colleagues of Arjun Singh are against SEdBC reservation. Kapil Sibal, union minister for Science & Technology has earlier stated his misgivings about the reservation move. In fact India Inc leaders too seem to be disinclined towards the government's proposal.

Amidst a massive protest by medical students, certain political quarters and industry, it is to be seen how much the government will stick to its reservation plan. It is now considered certain that a committee will be soon formed to control the damage happened so far and to appease the striking doctors.

My take:
Lost cause and caught in the crossfire

It is really amusing to see things the way they have been unfolding in the recent past. I must say, I was just one of those many people who have been caught in this crossfire. Nevertheless, I think I was lucky to see things from such close quarters. Staying at AIIMS, I was at the frontline where I could see the unfolding drama right from the wings.

It was 2 months ago that Arjun Singh told media about his plan to implement the second part of Mandal Commission's report. Very soon everyone was worried. 27 per cent reservation in premier institutes, some felt, would lead to degeneration of our institutes' standards and credibility. Some were worried that eligible graduates from general category would be on roads causing dissent and turbulence in the society. Some thought this move to be a political gimmick, a rabbit from the magician's hat shown to lure voters. (incidentally, 5 states were going to assembly polls at that time) Some cried foul and some fainted. Mainstream media kept carrying stories that showed how unfair reservations were. TV channels had a field day. Popping up at shopping malls and shoving mikes into people's faces, an anchor would question a wayfarer, "Pro reservation or anti-reservation?" Some reporters were even quizzing students who were on their way to the examination hall!

And then as things were getting boring for the media, few zealous medical students thought it was the right time to start a protest march. AIIMS medicos thought of meeting Arjun Singh 'personally' and submit a memorandum against reservations. But Mr. Singh thought differently. Well, there was a bit of confusion about how 'personally' one could submitting a memorandum. Hundreds of students marching towards his house was certainly not a 'personal gesture' for Mr. Singh, and the police, as usual eager to get a piece of action, started wiggling their batons. The constabulary didn't realise that they just made history and possibily would become history. Their strectching their arms with batons in their arms was not treated kindly by the students, and soon the students were on strike. Though what was their chief cause, whether it was the protest against reservation or against the brutal police action was lost in the war cries and candle light ceremonies (Thank you RDB, you have saved the candle making industry).

Soon the junior doctors thought it only fair to extend their support to the students. So, they stopped looking after patients and joined the holiday..err..hunger strike. Delhi was soon supported by Mumbai and other places. Senior doctors and consultants who were holidaying in those cool hill stations in Himalayas, were called back to take care of patients. Many cursed their fate but came back. It appears that they can't take it any more, (ahem!! I meant the reservation policy of govt. not looking after the patients) so they have notified their support to the movement. Possibly they too will join the movement. As for the patients, they are just folks caught in the crossfire! And for the media, it is simply going for the kill, and of course celebrating the mercurial TRPs.

I find it really hard to understand how 'youth for equality' suddenly sprang to action when the reservation proposal was made. I can't help but consider it as a reactionary move of an elite group trying to protect its interests. The confusion starts when they start claiming munificence and equality. It is a known fact that not even 5 per cent of these medical students come from SEdBCs. It is also a noted fact that the majority of manual labourers and workers in these deemed institutes are from the lower castes (lower classes?). Then, how can they claim they are fighting for equality? If only they can see the 'maya' of 'merit' and come out of it. Sometimes, I wonder if they are just rebels without a cause. It is really inspiring to see these young kids standing together and taking the government headlong. The protest area with their zealous slogans and songs like "Hum honge kaamiyaab.." (We shall win..) shows how much convinced they are about the righteousness of their path. If only they looked 180 degrees to get the other perspective. If only they cared to know that 54 per cent segment doesn't even get 5 per cent of seats in the educational institutes. If only they cared to know merit is nurtured and depends on various things, and that sometimes objective judgement is fallacious. If only they cared to know that the recent move will only help the SEdBCs get their just desserts.

The conspicuous absence of a pro-reservation lobby of students is another thing noted in this mega event of the year. (or the decade?) Where is the alternative voice? Are the SEdBCs who managed to get into these institutes against reservation, or silent, worried that a pro-reservation stance might raise eyebrows, or simply silenced? One would never know it, but the absence of protests from Delhi University and JNU (the socialist bastion) students at least shows that not all student fraternity is against reservation. They are just silent for the moment but hopefully they will come out soon to support reservations. Another noticeable fact is the serene South India, unfazed by the Capital's happenings. South India which already has reservations for SEdBCs in educational institutions seems to have already come to terms with reservations. And there is 'The Hindu' which has made sure it stood up and set the facts straight regarding reservations.

One feels that it is a matter of national concern when a segment of community has been ostracized for hundreds of years and still grappling to come into mainstream. It is the responsibility of government to ensure social welfare and reforms. The previous committees Kaka Kelkar (1955) and Mandal Commission (1980) have found it a need to reserve seats for SEdBCs in educational institutions. It is a pity it has been delayed so far. If reservations are considered a political ploy, it is high time one gives it a thought and think alternative ways of ensuring affirmative action rather than burying the skulls in the closet. It is high time the cause isn't lost and none are caught in the crossfire.