My Take on Affirmative Action in India

The Government of India plans to reserve 50% of the seats in educational instituitions it runs, for the traditionally opressed classes.

The people in question are discriminated against purely on the basis of their birth, based on a system of castes which cannot be justified in any rational way. In fact, I feel ashamed on my Indian nationality whenever I come across anybody referring to their own or anybody else's caste. (I'm like, why the f@#$ am I a part of this pathetic society?)

Much has been made about this matter in India's media, mostly criticizing this notion and the Government for proposing it. I have listened to and read arguments for both sides, and have been mentally debating on what posture I should take.

But the reality is that the caste system is alive and kicking in India even in the 21st century. People openly follow caste considerations for purposes like social interactions, marriage, and so on. Even people who, like my forefathers half a millenium ago, had converted to Christianity or Islam, still remember their castes.

If Indian society wants to follow the caste system, it should also accept its pitfalls. Hence, given the present state of affairs, I support the initiative by Dr Manmohan Singh's Government.