Author: VR Jayaraj
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: February 4, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/233675/Secular-Left-promotes-Muslim-quota!.html
But the Kerala model which appeases Muslims
and displeases others may not work for West Bengal, says
With the CPI(M) planning to extend the Kerala
model of reservation for Muslims to West Bengal, it would be in order to understand
what it implies. Reservation in Government jobs for minority communities in
the present form in Kerala came into force after the reorganisation of States
in 1956 and through various Government initiatives afterwards. But the concept
dates back to the last decade of the 19th century when the erstwhile princely
State of Travancore used to fill vacancies with non-native candidates, mainly
from Tamil Nadu, neglecting qualified local residents.
The quota system in Kerala, however, is not
exclusively minority or caste-based, but practically it is caste-based. Though
the concept of reservation of jobs on the basis of religion and caste has
been objected to from the very beginning of the introduction of the quota
system, the quotas have grown instead of shrinking. Almost all parties in
Kerala view the caste-based quota system an essential prerequisite for their
power games based on vote-bank politics and this has been the main impediment
to the implementation of reservation based on family income.
As per the existing structure, the total reservation
in Government jobs in Kerala is at the maximum level of 50 per cent as defined
by the Constitution. Eight per cent of the total jobs are reserved for Scheduled
Castes and two per cent for Scheduled Tribes. The remaining quota of 40 per
cent is divided among the various castes, including the minority communities,
mainly Muslims. Twelve per cent of all Government jobs are reserved for Muslims,
who constitute 24 per cent of the State's population, four per cent for Latin
Catholics (and Anglo-Indians) of the minority Christian community and one
per cent for other backward Christians like converts from Scheduled Castes.
The caste-based reservation system was introduced
in Kerala for the first time in 1952 by the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State,
which formed more than half of present-day Kerala. This legislation fixed
reservation in Government jobs for backward classes in minority communities
and others at 35 per cent, while 10 per cent of the jobs were reserved for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The beneficiaries of this system included
Muslims, Latin Catholics, Christian Nadars and converted Christians.
Surveys held immediately after the formation
of Kerala in 1956 showed that backward classes qualifying for quota, including
those in the minority communities, numbered 70. There were 70 categories of
Scheduled Castes and 38 Scheduled Tribes eligible for reservation. This prompted
the authorities to reserve seven out of every 20 vacancies for the backward
classes, including the minorities, two for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes and the remaining 11 were to be given on the basis of merit.
However, this system was not enough to satisfy
the intensifying demands for more representation in Government jobs for the
minority communities and in 1957, during the reign of the first elected Communist
Government, the total quota for the backward classes, including Muslims and
backward Christian communities, was raised from 35 per cent to 40 per cent.
With 10 per cent quota for the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes, reservation
in Kerala reached the maximum permitted limit of 50 per cent.
This system underwent certain minor changes
in 1970 and the system for appointment in last grade posts in Government jobs
was modified. As per this, the quota allocated to Muslims in last grade jobs
presently is 10 per cent, while backward Christians other than Latin Catholics
enjoy two per cent reservation.
A huge war is now on between the minority
communities, mainly Muslims, and the Hindu upper castes, especially the Nairs,
over the issue of income-based reservation of seats for higher studies. At
present, Muslims have an eight per cent reservation in admissions to schools.
While two per cent of the seats are reserved for Latin Catholics, other backward
Christians are entitled to one per cent quota.
On September 3, 2008, the CPI(M)-led LDF Cabinet
in Kerala decided to reserve 12 per cent seats in colleges and 10 per cent
in universities for students from economically backward sections of the 'forward'
communities.
The Muslim Jama'at Council has challenged
this in the Kerala High Court, which has refused to entertain the petition
while upholding the Cabinet proposal. The High Court said it was high time
the system of job reservation was abandoned. The petitioner is now planning
to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court ruling.
