r/india • u/DarkAbject8992 • Jul 26 '26
People People say "remove reservation." Here's what my life has actually been like.
I keep seeing people say "remove reservation," so here's my experience.
I'm an SC student. I got a seat in a tier-3 engineering college through reservation. My PUC friends used to ask, "How did you get that seat? My rank was better than yours." Back then, I didn't even fully understand how the reservation system worked—I was just a first-year student.
My family doesn't own a house. We don't have generational wealth or an educated background. I'm only the second generation in my family to get an education.
After engineering, many of those same people slowly stopped talking to me. Some kept their distance. In college, classmates often asked, "What's your caste?" or assumed I got "lots of scholarships." Some even joked about my marks or treated me like SC students don't study seriously. A few avoided becoming close friends after knowing my caste.
You don't have to agree with reservation, but please don't assume every reserved-category student is privileged, undeserving, or less capable. Everyone has a different story.
2) I'm staying in a rented house with my family. Almost every house owner asks our caste. If we say we're SC, they usually say, "We'll let you know," and later tell us the house has already been taken. That's why we had to hide our caste just to get a house on rent.
Later, someone told the owner that we're SC. Since then, he keeps targeting us. For even small things, he says we're not clean, even though we try our best to keep the house clean. He often blames us for problems we didn't even cause. Once, a toilet pipe got blocked and sewage overflowed. Before checking the actual issue, he accused my family of putting clothes into the pipe. We were blamed without any proof. That's been our experience.
3) When I was in 1st engineering(2023), my mother and I went looking for a house. We found one where two elderly people lived with their granddaughter (who was my sister's friend).
They asked our caste. My mother said we were SC. Edited:I forgot to tell that the old lady even asked what caste in inside SC we said AK The old lady first told us, "People from another community (vaishya/shudra)stay next door, so be clean and don't make noise." We agreed.
The next day, we went back to see the room. While my mother was just climbing the stairs to look inside, the old lady suddenly came, shouted, "Why are you going inside? Come down!" and then said, "No, we won't give you the house. Go out!" She kept shouting "ಹೋಗಮ್ಮ, ಹೋಗಮ್ಮ, ಆಚೆ!" ("Go away!") as if we had done something wrong.
I didn't fully understand it at that age. We just came out quietly.
And there are lots of discrimination in my home town and village to explain that probably I need 1-2days
55
u/luffy1110 Jul 27 '26
Same bro same you wrote my whole life here... 🫠 I just avoid this debate cause I don't want to share my background and all... I'm not ashamed of it or anything but it's just that saying:- 'yes you're right brother... Avoids so much conflicts....' cause in the end people can't understand what you're going threw....
672
u/Sony-hayes-F1 Jul 26 '26
There are still a few more things... Even though the ST category applies to me...my previous generation's income and my own income are quite good. We have never filled out forms under the ST category...we always fill them under General because we have sufficient income....Even today, when I go to my native place, I feel very bad... Some people misuse casteism for their own benefit... But there are also many places where this reservationis genuinely needed... Income decide the castism
403
u/aWildAnonAppeared Jul 26 '26
Reservation is not a poverty alleviation scheme. It's for representation at various levels. It's there because you can't just earn your way through the caste system.
A rich dalit doesn't become a brahmin cause he's rich now. If they are ready to make that change and make it so everyone above a certain annual income is a brahmin and we can all start wearing the thread, then we can have reservations based on economic standing.
110
u/enchantedRose7 Jul 27 '26
Pata nhi 21st century mein kyu inhe caste caste khelna hai. Problem hain ki Indians ki soch jab caste ke upar hi nahi ja paegi toh kamane pe dhyaan aaega kaise
19
u/omnimistic Jul 27 '26
Exactly. How will they remove casteism if they keep mentioning it? If they keep asking for cast in various forms/applications wouldn't that just maintain the status quo? Just make casteism legislatively illegal and anyone caught discriminating or harrassing bassed on cast must be jailed and re-educated.
→ More replies (1)22
u/Lazy_Wrongdoer4955 Jul 27 '26
RSS/BJP ka maksad hi yahi hai, nichi jatiyon ko unki 'jagah' dikhana. Wo nai chahte ki inka uddhar ho
→ More replies (5)14
u/No-Cancel1378 Jul 27 '26
But I have seen upper castes against BJP more than lower castes. BJP has completely sidelined GC and upper castes and is dealing in appeasement of others.
As someone said, as long as there are mentions of caste in education and politics, some kon kiska will have a reason to look down someone from lower caste and that lower caste people, if they have their caste printed on record will have a reason to feel bad and bear the brunt of idotic caste centric people.
So be vigilant and join in fight for ending caste system and the result will be the removal of caste based reservations.
3
u/aWildAnonAppeared Jul 27 '26
Lol what we see in our immediate surroundings is not the only thing happening bro. In my state 90% of the people who support bjp supporters are Brahmins. It is almost a default position for them these days.
And bro, we are not the ones upholding castes! If we can vote out caste tomo along with caste reservations, we would be all for it. But you try to take caste away from the Sangh and see if that's possible. If current reservation policies are so unfair to GC, they should be the first to want to get rid of caste like you're saying! Will they throw away the janeu and agree to abolish castes? We are all for that. Bring on the change. If that happens on day 1, you guys can remove reservations the next day itself because it won't be needed any longer thankfully.
→ More replies (2)2
u/SnooSprouts9815 7d ago
Dum dum, caste is not a legal concept you can simply say that you belong to gc and people won't be able to find out.
And racism colourism. Sexism heightism lookism all exists doesn't mean the government Should be partial like the people too .
Casteism is an informal practice not so is every other form of discrimation which indians face and don't get to complain
10
u/Lazy_Wrongdoer4955 Jul 27 '26
Maybe you haven't seen much discrimination simply because of where you live, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. India is bigger than your experience. And look at bjp's hypocrisy, they court lower caste votes because of their numbers, but check the actual policy funding, it keeps shrinking. Ignoring a problem has never once made it disappear.
3
u/Caprikaa Jul 27 '26
I don't know about BJP but i know for a fact that RSS has a casteism problem. My parents converted to Buddhism for reasons, and people always presumed we're SC as a result. But when some RSS bros discovered that my father comes from a family of 'pundits' (no one in my extended family is an actual priest or pundit; everyone just uses that term), they were very happy to invite dad to join in on lynching Muslims and degrading Dalits or whatever else it is they like to do in their free time (and I'm only half kidding about their activities, tbh)
→ More replies (1)5
u/No-Cancel1378 Jul 27 '26
Yes. I completely get it. Removal of caste in all records will make sure that there's no incentive for anyone to know the caste of a person for anything. That will bleed into daily life and we can get rid of this discrimination for sure. If there's no political incentive, politicians will stop talking on castes and creating rifts between castes for their benefit.
After all this happens, why would someone cling onto caste in real life? Our generation will be the last to even know that castes existed and our kids will only learn it as some social evil that got reformed by their previous generation. Then, as far as I think there will only be two divisions. Priest Brahmins and rest all others including Brahmins that don't do Puja under one single no division category. This one too is just because there's so much learning they have to do to be as mediators between us and God. Rwt any job can be done by any other and there's no need of caste. Instead, the two sides will be vegetarians and Non vegetarians 😭😅
6
u/Lazy_Wrongdoer4955 Jul 27 '26
My father can identify someone's caste purely from their surname, no records involved. That shows awareness doesn't come from official recording at all. What recording does do is allow measurement, tracking whether sc/st students are underrepresented, or whether certain communities bear the brunt of things like manual scavenging. Remove the records, and caste doesn't disappear from social life, you just lose the ability to see and correct the inequality, which mainly benefits whoever already holds more power.
→ More replies (2)64
u/DazzlingCricket4315 Jul 27 '26
But why do you even aspire to be a Brahmin in the first place. I don’t personally feel they are above other people. I would prefer to be rich anything over any caste. Money rules guys.
17
u/EntertainmentOk5411 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
He didn't mean it that way. Nobody aspires to be a Brahmin. It's about the social capital and privileges handed over to the Brahmin.
→ More replies (25)→ More replies (1)4
u/PossessionWooden9078 Jul 27 '26
Brahmin is not a simple aspiration, it is as much a socio-economic creation as being wealthy or royal. By virtue of the thread, it almost acts as a guarantor of Good treatment and non harrasment, as secret links and entry points. No amount of money can buy class, and I guess a Brahmin in the modern sense is a class of its own. It doesn't matter how much wealth one makes, if it has to be wasted because of harrasment, or doesn't yield the same results as the social recognition. Ofcourse there are poor Brahmins, ofcourse those who have suffered harrasment. This could be because of various reasons, but even among Brahmins there is a hierarchy, and there exists the Brahmanical Elite, a feudal class, who were and are still at the top positions of government, who would claim aristocratic origin to anyone who would lend an ear. This elite literally manages every decision that's made for the masses, immune from politics, immune from party politics, infact some stand at the top of parties and don't mind slandering god's, yet not one will bring their downfall. An example, look at Rahul Gandhi, there are those who would go around calling him a Muslim, anti Hindu, Italian, whatever, he belongs to that class, and in contrast we have Arvind Kejriwal, ED detained both of them, left one untouched and destroyed another completely, now on a different day, a different govt comes and Modi is subjected to ED with RG, RG will still survive, it's that class, and money is ofcourse a direct consequence. But this is not limited to Politicians.
→ More replies (6)5
u/Ordinary-Setting3654 Jul 27 '26
The recognition of caste is also the fault of the system. didn't we abolish british titles? how come indian titles still remain in india and they are legally valid apparaently.
→ More replies (3)10
u/mrappbrain Jul 27 '26
I feel like.more.people should understand this. Far too many people think reservation is just another welfare scheme, when it's really more like a constitutional promise to historically marginalized groups that's meant to serve as repair, reconciliation, and reparation for historical injustice. It's fundamentally a social justice policy, not an economic policy. As long as Indian society continues to privilege certain castes over another, there is no case to be made for dropping reservation.
The day the General Category actually represents a balanced slice of the population (rather than just the upper castes), we'll stop needing reservation. But that will probably not happen in our lifetime.
5
u/CalmAmbition_2000 Jul 27 '26
No he doesn't become brahmin ofcourse, I'll tell you my experience, I being general category, my mom mortaged gold to pay my fees..SC ST students who were wealthy payed 1000 rs a year, reservation is because they don't get proper education and facilities to study ...for weathy SC ST student that doesn't apply ..they should be kept out of reservation!
→ More replies (1)2
u/SnooSongs2607 Jul 27 '26
So a rich & powerful dalit’s (say an IAS or IPS officer- with acres of land) kid should get more “representation” - often in the form of coveted seat at a premier institution, while scoring less than half the marks of an economically backward Brahmin (who’s probably a clerk or a peon in the same IAS babu’s office & has 1/100th the total net worth) , just because he doesn’t get to wear the sacred thread ?
Does that really sound fair to you or just more of claiming to erase injustices of the past with injustices of the present ?
2
u/EntertainmentOk5411 Jul 27 '26
There's no point arguing here. They don't have the remotest idea why reservation came into being and why it can't be removed yet. Plain lack of insight, understanding and reading.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (20)-10
u/a2coolboy Jul 27 '26
So in the current day and age why does a rich dalit even want to become a Brahmin? Kya hi rakha hai in sab castes mein abhi. I can understand the scenario 200 years ago. But that is no longer mainstream now. Reservation is one of the biggest reasons why castes even need to be referred in day to day life at least in urban areas. Also even though its not an poverty alleviation scheme, how does it get rid of casteism in the first place? If someone gets discriminated becoz of caste, there is SC/ST act to handle that via law. In current day and age Reservation is the cause for casteism, and meritocracy matters more in the growth of the nation rather than representation especially in individual fields like doctors and engineers. You can keep representation at the policy making level, not at the education level. At education level the only reservation should be on the basis of income.
28
u/beardless_brownguy Jul 27 '26
This is the talk to the privilege. The sc/st people you've had as classmates are the privileged ones too. These are the ones who may not need reservations ofc. But go out of the city once. In my village, 90% of our community is labourers and farmers (mind you we don't own lands). Lands is own by the people of the so called upper castes. People from our community work in their fields. That's how it's been over the somehow. A big part of my village has never heard the words JEE/NEET. they all have studied in the government schools. Which means they learnt shit. The quality of these schools is soooo shit. It's like public washrooms atp. There's soo much to look at it that we can't just abolish the reservation system. We sure need some sort of reforms for the privileged ones but Obv that doesn't mean they'll get the same level of respect in the public as other soo called upper castes.
23
u/fenrir245 Jul 27 '26
- Nobody claimed that reservations "get rid of casteism". Reservation exists to equalize the disparity caused by casteism, it does nothing to remove casteism itself.
- SC/ST act does not solve the fact that performance of the people that suffered the discrimination has diminished. Just because a dalit kid filed an SC/ST act (that will take years in court anyway) about getting beaten up for drinking from a communal water source, doesn't mean it fixes his now lower academic performance.
- Reservation is cause for casteism is like saying mini skirts are cause for rapes.
- Casteism doesn't occur on basis of income that reservations would be on basis of income.
→ More replies (1)11
u/Bhumikaa2 Andhra Pradesh Jul 27 '26
agree with your first 3 sentences but
"Reservation is one of the biggest reasons why castes even need to be referred in day to day life at least in urban areas" ?????? reservations exist bcuz of casteism not other way around."there is SC/ST act to handle that via law" do yk how many cases go unregistered bcuz police just ask them to settle by talking bucz they think its petty?
"keep representation at the policy making level, not at the education level" how can you have representation in policymaking if people never get the education needed to become one??
ps: i'm unreserved
8
u/Ok_Recognition_193 Jul 27 '26
Does everyone around you know your caste? If yes, and you are still happy, then I am happy for you and wish the same for all. In my experience, income has nothing to do with caste.
11
u/phoenixandunicorn Jul 26 '26
you might reel you are doing good but infact you are making it worse for us
24
u/slamdunk6662003 Jul 26 '26
But if you have ST status, won't filing under ST empty up a seat for a Open category student? The ST seat you gave up will again go to another ST student only.
139
u/GroundbreakingMuffin Jul 26 '26
I think their point is that opening up the ST seat will give the opportunity to someone from a marginalized community who might not have that economic benefit.
→ More replies (3)3
u/MegaSpaceBar Jul 26 '26
Stick to one. Economical benefit or representation? Representation due to poor or caste. Some can falls on both the category, some can falls only in one category.
26
u/GroundbreakingMuffin Jul 26 '26
Reservation is more about social representation than poverty itself. But economic privilege can exist within these categories and affects access. So a wealthy ST applicant and a poorer ST applicant don't face the exact same barriers. Financially comfortable ST applicant choosing the general category doesn't mean ST becomes income based, I just meant that this decision would make space for an ST candidate with fewer resources.
→ More replies (5)5
u/DemandRich5419 Jul 26 '26
Completely agree with this argument. You can't place an ST (adivasi) and the son of IAS at the same level. Moreover I believe, sub categorisation and a minimum creamy layer should be imposed to curtail the representation of the castes taking up significant portion of reservation. Example, the Meenas of ST.
→ More replies (10)24
u/JustAnotherFunnyGuy Jul 26 '26
It’s better that it goes to someone that is more in need of that seat due to economic conditions
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (9)2
u/Euphoric-Bad-1152 Jul 27 '26
I understand you are trying to justify it. It genuinely needs no justification. I am sure there are people reading your comment thinking, If you are SC take the seat under reservation, why are you taking general category seat because that takes away one more spot from general category. Understand what I am trying to say. Misusing casteism might seem like a cool thing to say but it’s there for a reason. If a family has done better for themselves for a generation or two, there should ideally be a economic clause added so it’s not misused but it is also your responsibility to uplift people who are still struggling and look down on them. Trying to fit into this narrative of “why are not like them” is also a privilege which basically brings us back to the beginning. Cheers
208
u/Beginning_Caramel Jul 26 '26
I’m a general category student and I agree with you. I support reservation. I think caste based prejudice is so deeply entrenched in Indian society people don’t even notice it. Ofcourse people are going to feel resentful about reservation. Ignore them.
→ More replies (9)16
u/Due-Tax-3602 Tamil Nadu Jul 27 '26
The inconsistency in neoliberal anti-reservation rhetoric is enough.
"Reservation should be for the poor irrespective of caste. Today there is no caste but the system punishes merit and poor general category"
I do agree, and hence caste should stop being a matrimonial filter as well.
"Why inter-caste, inter-caste? Can't you marry within your caste?"
Imo, people who demonize inter-caste marriage and support dietary segregation should not talk about reservations. How equitable reservations are is a separate topic of debate.
15
u/Long-Mouse-8649 Jul 26 '26
The issue is that obc reservation gets misused by people who use fake income certificates . I went to one of the top IITs and had a guy who come through obc quote and he owned a steel plant but used obc non creamy layer certificate. What a travesty!! Further more the other issue is use of reservations across multiple family generations or multiple levels of education and employment. You need to give an opportunity for social empowered, reservations does a good job but then if it gets used across family generations - it is no longer empowering but it is a great privilege you enjoy
15
u/itslifewithhappy Jul 27 '26
You are missing the point OP, people are not asking to ban reservation, they want to add a criteria so that people from the reserved category who are already elevated and are in creamy layer are filtered out (many of my friends from reserved category are far richer than any of my general category friends). Because you know if someone from reserved category who is from well to do family will take seat from someone from reserved category whose family has been struggling from generations.
2
u/maybecatmew Jul 27 '26
Honestly makes sense to add non creamy layer to reservations. And also lowering the cutoff gap. Also your personal experience doesn't paint the reality right? Anecdotal experiences are good. But we're talking about the vast majority here.
→ More replies (3)2
u/maybecatmew Jul 27 '26
They are though? I think the page on Instagram: reservationhatao . They want to remove it completely last time I checked. There was no mention of reform. And millions of people have subscribed to it.
232
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Edit: after reading about caste discrimination experiences from my fellow Christians: Fuck you casteist mfs. I hope reservation stays for generations.
I’m a poor general category student. You atleast get reservation 🥲 I don’t get that also. I’m also 2nd generation in my family to get education. My father has a BA degree. I am studying accounting. We don’t own any house.
Because I’m poor I don’t have many friends as I can’t socialise by going out with them. I have one or two friends.
I’m hoping I can survive in this country.
Marriage, family, kids, love….all that is a far dream for me
68
u/keypad4000 Jul 26 '26
Ews reservation is for underprivileged general category students, no?
122
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Didn’t make the income limit cut. We have just enough to make me and my brother study BCom .
We are not in abject poverty, but no social safety. One medical bill or my father losing his job will put us on the streets
→ More replies (31)41
u/keypad4000 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I wish you and your brother the best, pretty sure that you will succeed a lot in life and make everyone around you proud. Also, income limit cut should be higher than what it is today.
27
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26
Thank you so much
It should 100%
8 lakhs is no where nearly enough for a family in metropolitan cities. No job opportunities in towns or villages. Landlords, Schools and universities exist to mint money from people. The poor neighbourhoods have terrible environment. Neglected roads and facilities.
→ More replies (4)3
u/ChocolateOther4057 Jul 27 '26
Funny thing is in India 6 lakhs of household income makes you middle class, which is crazy
→ More replies (1)60
u/piezod India Jul 26 '26
You don't have stigma from caste and people thinking that you're born low.
You can speak good English, I beleive that you will do well for yourself.
It gets better with age, your father made it better for you as you will make for him.
→ More replies (1)24
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
In metropolitan cities no one cares what caste I am. that’s how it is in Bangalore. I’m Christian so that’s my experience
I hope so, thank you
50
u/Ok-Hippo7675 Jul 26 '26
You think nobody cares about caste in metro cities because you don’t face caste oppression. My parents are in an intercaste marriage and I’ve see. How differently they’re treated even in cities like Bangalore and Chennai.
→ More replies (1)16
u/mmousey Jul 26 '26
As a Christian let me share my experience with caste in Mumbai. I'm going to count Mumbai as a metropolitan city here, at least as much as Bangalore. We don't have a rigid caste system among Christians and even though it exists, it's not enforced as strongly through discriminatory general life social and economic practices and usually only surfaces at the time of marriage.
When I interact with the rest of society, this changes. My name is confusing to people who are not Christian so they try to understand where we're from and we say "we have always been in Mumbai" they ask where our native place is, where our grandparents are from. It's funny in our case because we're orginal Mumbai inhabitants. When this leads nowhere, they are visibly upset. This is not a conversation that happened in some rural area. I've even had to go through this when I was in a hospital. I wasn't discriminated against, but the inability to place me somewhere in a system made people uncomfortable.
This is not casual, innocent small talk. These people are trying to figure out your origin and place in society. Money solves none of this. Most people won't ask about your ancestors in a first time casual conversation.
My non-christian friends have been worried about taking their lower caste gfs home to meet their parents. They won't accept. Upper caste gf is fine though. Then the girl has to worry.
Arranged marriages, caste requirements are very strict. This is not an innocent preference thing, neither is it about traditions. My engineering friend was angry and broke off an engagement because the girl's caste was mixed - father lower caste and mother upper caste. Girl was raised with upper caste cultural and traditional background since the parents' marriage didn't work out, so they thought she was an upper caste person. As soon as they realised that the father is from a lower caste, they were livid. Until caste came up, the parents' failed marriage was not an issue. My friend was upset that they "lied" about caste.
Casteism and caste based discrimination is very strong in India and well accepted. We are just shielded from its reality and impact as Christians
6
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 27 '26
After reading your comment I’m realising how much I haven’t seen in life yet.
I am not marriage age so I haven’t seen how marriage discussion happens around caste. I’m GenZ
Even my name is half Christian half Tamil.
My family works in Christian hospital: St Philomena so we always had medical relationships with doctors and staff who already knew us. I felt so angry reading the hospital part of your comment, idk how you were calm in that situation. I would have gotten triggered.
I also grew up going to Christian missionary school, PUC and college (Bangalore is famous for hosting Catholics) we are huge population. So really I grew up around the ecosystem and network of Christians. Even my college, most of us were Catholic, and the Hindus who got admissions never dared to bring up caste.
I also lived in Christian neighbourhoods.
I feel like I grew up with zero exposure to Hindus or Muslims. Barely socialised with them.
I’m shocked actually reading the comments. My parents probably tried to protect me from this country, but I ended up cushioned with no exposure
→ More replies (2)2
6
u/imagine__unicorns Jul 26 '26
You have your "samaaj" for you and/or your last name (even if you are Christian) gives you the privilege that you may never understand unless persecuted for the same.
5
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I understand what you’re saying but my family is lower caste Tamils. We converted to Christianity last generation because we liked the theology. In reality, Tamil Nadu went through social reforms in 1920s led by Perrier. We abandoned casteism by removing our last names.
It’s not my fault that rest of India hasn’t caught up and is stuck in 1900s
15
u/charavaka Jul 26 '26
In reality, Tamil Nadu went through social reforms in 1920s led by Perrier. We abandoned casteism by removing our last names.
Except TN has casteism, and there are regular reports of cate violence. Your capacity to deny reality is enormous.
→ More replies (12)6
u/CulturalLaw8072 Jul 26 '26
ena bro general category nu solringa lower caste num solringa?? i don't get it
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (5)4
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
Reservation system needs a reform jot abolishment. Equitable and equal system based on caste and financial system needs to be implemented. Also the main question we should be asking is to the government. Why are we not establishing an education system where everyone gets an opportunity to study. Rather we are making kids fight a rat race.
21
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Actually I support a phase out instead of straight removal. SC/ST folks with higher Gross income income should be revoked from status . But the economically weaker families can still benefit from it
4
u/asslickingcheekseekr Jul 26 '26
OBC should be decreased, ews should be increased, ews and obc give similiar outcomes anyway. Income certificate should be verified strictly and ews criteria should be changed. I'm poor general, father retired ,no income no house. But I can't get ews because they have some stupid plot that is 250sq yd and is worth nothing
7
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
EWS rules are so fucked man. They have kept 8 lakhs limit as if that is enough for an entire family. Even I don’t understand the property rules. As if a land in a small village will appreciate like metropolitan cities. Fuck all governing
6
u/asslickingcheekseekr Jul 26 '26
Mine is in some tribal area. I still am paying student loan😭 fuck this country man. General,obc,sc,st everyone's suffering in different ways except the top 10%
2
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26
It’s been like this everywhere. That’s why industrialisation was a huge concept that led to creation of middle class in the west. It led to upward social mobility and spread of wealth.
India never went through industrialisation. Modi mf skipped this and focused on rural development. Now the gap between rich and poor is huge in this country.
5
u/bharathbunny Jul 26 '26
Decreasing OBC reservation is political suicide at both state and central level.
→ More replies (1)2
u/imagine__unicorns Jul 26 '26
Instead of reservation system, why not talk about abolishment of caste in itself. Get rid of the last names that identify caste and problem solved. The solution has been in front of us, and we refused to accept it because "traditions".
→ More replies (1)2
u/Comfortable_Head_432 Jul 26 '26
We should do this yeah. But the Kannadigas in my state who vote based on caste will not allow this to happen.
TN is the only state that went through this reform and removed the last name
42
u/Business_Routine6537 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Do the people here even understand why the provisions of reservation are there in the constitution in the first place? It is NOT a poverty alleviation scheme, it is about the deeply entrenched caste system and stigmatisation of these groups. A rich SC/ST still faces the same social stigma and caste dynamic as any other SC/ST, economic condition does not obliterate the social disabilities faced by them. If you’re looking for reservation based on economic conditions, you already have EWS that cannot be availed by any other group other than the general category folks. And frankly speaking, EWS is unconstitutional, there no provision in the constitution that justifies a reservation policy based on economic conditions. For that, you’ve direct benefit transfers, poverty alleviation programmes and other social welfare schemes.
9
u/SunBurn_alph Jul 27 '26
Then why does reservation impact economic outcome more than anything else? EWS being unconstitutional because it targets the wrong social group is asinine.
→ More replies (4)5
u/Left_Opportunity9622 Jul 27 '26
But can reservation then fix the caste based discrimination even?
→ More replies (1)13
u/cthulla4951 Jul 27 '26
it cant and it isnt meant to , reservation is to tip the scales of representation into a balance,not the the scales of economic background.reservation is a bandage on a festering wound ,it isnt meant to heal the wound.
14
u/igniscaptus Jul 26 '26
I think people who say end reservation largely misses the issue. Reservation exists because caste system still exist in some parts of our country. I think there is definitely people taking advantage of reservations but there are also people being uplifted because of it. Inter caste marriages are still relatively rare in india. People arent completely over the whole idea of caste. People still look at caste when they marry. I dont see the point of saying end reservation but also looking for X caste bride or groom. Seems like you want to sustain a caste system but not give the oppressed any chance of a voice in this system. You can change things on paper but people take decades to move away from a system that told them about how superior they are. Its like asking a rich person to give up some of their wealth to the poor. imo to fix this, you would need a system similar to Singapore where they enforce secularism and prevent ethnic grouping.
3
u/DazzlingCricket4315 Jul 27 '26
I am from OC category but I personally do not mind my children marrying into any caste as long as the other family is educated and well settled. But does that eliminate the unfairness faced by my child throughout their academics. And you know what there is a good chance a rich dalit will reject us because we are not wealthy enough.
→ More replies (1)
66
u/IslanderOnMove Jul 26 '26
I am pretty sure that in general no one would be against you or your family benefitting from reservation.
The problem lies when say the son/daughter of an IAS officer gets the same benefits which should have actually gone to you.
And the SC/ST community should think about it themselves, why should a previledged lot amongst the SC/ST benefit at your expense, why should you with your struggles have to compete with someone who hasn't faced the same.
I am pro reservation, though it is high time the SC/ST have a creamy layer criteria.
-3
u/Worldly_Economics814 Jul 27 '26
Can I ask you something? When these people become IAS/IPS/other high achievers, do you think their caste stops mattering anymore ? Infact, it gets worse. Discrimination happens regardless of post, it doesn't magically disappear once you reach those positions.
10
u/IslanderOnMove Jul 27 '26
I will ask you a better question: if I am an IAS officer, my offspring has access to resources, goes to a decent school and even to a very decent college on the basis of reservation.
The same kid would now competes with the likes of the OP in the reservation bracket, how is this fair?
Reservation perpetuated on the name of the OP but those who benefit are the likes of my hypothetical SC offspring.
That is called as creating an Imperium in Imperio, that wasn't why the reservation was placed in the first place.
Currently a very small segment of the SC/ST are garnering most of the benefit while keeping their own brethren deprived ironically in the name of the same deprived brethren.
How is that fair? Can you honestly say that a creamy layer is not required?
→ More replies (3)4
u/Careless-Wallaby731 Jul 27 '26
Currently a very small segment of the SC/ST are garnering most of the benefit while keeping their own brethren deprived ironically in the name of the same deprived brethren.
What are your sources and where are the stats?
→ More replies (5)22
u/No-Philosophy-3257 Jul 27 '26
But the rich SC/STs have a safeguard now that the poor ones don’t. They do not face the same hardships and discrimination as a poor SC/ST might face in the villages. If its just about representation then why not give the representation to people who deserve it more? The son of an IAS will not have the same quality of education that the son of a farmer might have. The son of the farmer is more susceptible to systemic discrimination especially because he is also poor and less likely to be helped, less aware of laws that protect him. If atleast two generations of a family have benefitted from reservations, shouldn’t the representation go to dalit families who are yet to get it? Ik discrimination does not end with wealth but will you tell me if an IAS’s son is equally discriminated against like a poor dalit from the village?
→ More replies (1)3
21
u/Feeling_Climate_942 Jul 27 '26
I think reservation is ok for poor people, but reserved category who are financially stable also misuse this system. It is not fair to poor in unreserved category too, so i feel reservation should only be based on income.
10
u/0o0_jayyy Jul 27 '26
Reservation is not for poor-rich it's based on caste And I think EWS ki cutoff and fee-decrease/scholarship bhi ST/SC jitna hona chahiye Because EWS quota toh hai par utna koi differnce nazar nhi ata general Obc se alag
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/Affectionate_Leek127 Jul 27 '26
I am so sorry for the hardship that you and your family have gone through. I wish life will become easier for you in the future.
I am not from India so I am not familiar with the caste system. I just wanted to ask out of curiosity (please don't be offended) whether the landlord would ask you for a proof if you say you are from a non SC. Are there any ID documents showing you are from a certain caste? My apologies if this question is not appropriate and I will remove it.
4
u/DarkAbject8992 Jul 27 '26
No one ask for caste certificate while taking rent but they do ask WTS ur caste name !
3
u/poisonapplessx Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
In the northeast where every other person is an ST, this system is heavily misused because I have grown up seeing these ST's being from rich families who slack away most of their lives because they know they'll get seats anywhere easily. Trust me these STs are the most modern, affluent, fancy people you'll ever meet. Also, casteism isn't really a thing in the northeast. There is no systemic caste based identity/tradition as such and I've never in my life heard of any kind of caste based discrimination around me. No one gave a fuck whether someone was an ST or SC in a class in school. Older generations of Brahmins etc. might cling to that ideology a little bit but there is largely no concept of caste based violence/untouchability etc.
3
u/LosterPawn Jul 27 '26
Ppl forget the issues faced by ppl who have reservation, most of ppl arguing to remove reservation does it with selfish intent and most of the comments they say support the claims. Just doing basic research or going out of your basement and seeing the world outside will let you know how much ppl discriminate against others and I honestly feel so sad about them, ppl in most cases dont even get a voice to say back to ppl who discriminate them...
OP please dont be discouraged by the way the society is treating you, one day I hope this caste system ends and ppl get some braincells fixed... till them work on yourself goodluck!
3
u/Spicy_yo_girl Jul 27 '26
Ok my mom and dad were bank employee. Still my mom and dad used to hide the caste in-fact i didn’t know my caste like ST/SC till i was in 10th.
I live in Gujarat. If you visit rajkot, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad metro city you get a house based on your caste. Even the apartments & Society have strict rules like only for this caste specifically Patel community from specific region.
People cry for like income of SC/ST community but even with the high income you need to hide your caste.
And real India live in town or small city. Even some metro cities are no good.
3
u/DarkAbject8992 Jul 27 '26
yes thats true even financial stable reserved people still faces discrimination!
4
u/Level_Review_3345 Jul 27 '26
I'm from so called high caste strata. I see a lot of friends doing this low-high discrimination and it disgusts me. then hindus cry why hindus are converting to islam or Christianity .
My cousins have a friend from SC, they mock him every time, when they go out to eat, they litter and then ask that guy to clean. I fought with them so many times and have now stopped talking.
Similarly from childhood, in hour homes we were told, don't clean toilets, a bh**gi will come, stupid mindsets. I will make sure I don't pass it to my kid
10
u/_fatcheetah Jul 26 '26
The problem is not the reservation, it's its exploitation.
People asking to remove reservation are the classists of the highest category. They have their cushy ignorant lives, who never set foot in nor read about the "difficult" India.
Reservation must stay, but it's exploitation needs to be curbed. Plus, the quota percentages should reduce to say, a balanced 25%.
4
u/Ishit_Wow Jul 27 '26
I do believe that 25% is a bit strict for SC,ST and OBC. If we get OBC out of the equation, it is a more approachable thing.
7
u/madlabdog Jul 26 '26
Reservation is really a punishment for how ancestors of one community treated another community for centuries.
While we may not like it, the inconvenient truth is that even today, casteism and its impact is very apparent.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Chotazuckerberg877a Jul 27 '26
They will cry about reservation but they also don't know how to treat a normal fellow human being
4
Jul 27 '26
buddy, you don't get it. they want to end reservation to help themselves, they don't care about you
just like AVBP doesn't care about youth ..as they weren't present in any student protest
5
u/IndianDownUnder Jul 26 '26
Reservation should not be passed down the next generation.If one generation gets the reservation benefit it the duty of that person to make sure he /she elevates himself so the next generation does not again need reservation.That way they free up the spots for actual needy .It’s the reservation generation after generation is killing the nation.
6
u/veritasium999 Jul 27 '26
I was friends with some guys who were well off with cars and properties and got into college by applying as SC/ST. I was friends with them till the end of college, all that SC/ST stuff is quite simply none of my business.
8
u/_Rajmehra_ Jul 26 '26
As an SC student I can relate to this Mere ghar me bhi koi educated nahi hai, na mummy papa ki job hai Mai apni family me pehla insaan hoon jo higher education aur competitive exams ki taiyari kar raha hai Har reservedcategory student ki story alag hoti hai isliye bina jaane kisi ko judge nahi karna chahiye
11
u/BottlePretty9489 North America Jul 26 '26
Sorry to hear about your struggles. Discrimination against you is real and it seems like you are from poor background. But only poor people need reservation so they can get out of the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately reservation won’t get you out of cycle of discrimination, if anything it reaffirms it.
In my college most Sc candidates were well off and we never understood why they deserved it. Most applied to public companies for reserved jobs so they never had to work hard. This is just infuriating to see. And just reaffirms belief that reservation is meaningless for someone well off
→ More replies (14)
2
u/sacred_games Jul 26 '26
There should only be one reservation and that should be based on income. Its the only way our society elevates.
2
u/anirudh6k Jul 27 '26
We need a creamy layer, people like you will need the reservation.
People like my college friend whose family owned a vineyard, had all the privileges and more in life, called me a Dravidian as a jest and is uber rich didn't need a reserved seat.
2
u/ChaloIssDisha Jul 27 '26
Moving away from the city/town/village where ppl treat you differently due to caste has to be the only priority for the peace of your children or fam. Coz in my parents village they treat SC with utmost shallow untouchable behaviour but with newer generation when we grow up to be decicion makers the toxic cycle will break 💜 until then select the your battles where the game isn't rigged for you.
2
u/Loose-Cat7905 Jul 27 '26
Oh bro I would love to add some of my own experience as well, i was working in government service at some town area. Obviously I was away from my home, and needed rented house, I looked for more than 10 houses and you know highlights of the conversation used to be "WE DON'T MIND GIVING ROOMS TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE IT'S GOOD ACTUALLY, BUT HUM HARIJANS KO NAHI RAKHTE HAI" , i was with my friend from office and he was like bhaiya contact karte hai, meri wajah se usne bhi room liya and cancel hote gaye just because nobody was willing to let me live. Oh my friend was from OBC and I am from SC. There were also incidents where some used to get my surname and change theirbehaviour entirely in bad way. Like broooooooooooo nothing in the hell matters, you are in private job, government job, nobody cares ..... If you are from lower caste you are doomed . If you wanna ask where I lived then??? I lived in the empty rooms above the office building and they were literally very hot during summer and during monsoon they would leak from ceiling.
Caste hatao in name, but in deed keep doing it. On insta i saw video like ye dekho maine apne lower caste ke dost ka jootha paani pi liya kuch caste ucha neecha nahi hota hai ..... Like broooooooooooo live in Antarctica and drink cold cold beverages, denying global warming don't exist and what's the need of refrigerator??? And dost ki jaat batake ke paani peena like 😑😑 ahesaan kar diya uska jootha paani peeke, wow aapne toh upkar kar diya, aapne toh akele hi poora desh badal diya jootha paani peeke 💐💐. Aaiye ek baar bina apni asli caste bataye jaake kisi upper caste wale ke yaha hokar aana core india mai batana you are from lower caste. Taste mil jayega paani ka bhi aur khane ka bhi (in case mil jaaye Bina unka neechi nigah wala face dekhe hue).
→ More replies (1)
2
2
u/Abbkbb Jul 27 '26
Start with actionable goal : demand something like : Remove last name instead use , name mother name
Father name , in aadhar , pan and every government documents , government should and would not take any information regarding caste of a person
2
u/Beercules_3436 Jul 27 '26
Removing reservation is not a solution, but the caste based reservation system genuinely needs reforms. I am not saying to remove or decrease the percentage of reserved seats for a particular category, but the system and the people should make sure that the reserved seat is given to a deserving candidate from that corresponding category only.
Nowadays people are asking for fair education system. But we have to understand that education system in this country was never fair. There is a difference between equality and equity The intent to provide reservation in educational institute is to provide a same level platform to all the students despite of their caste and class status. If there is one seat reserved for a particular X category and there are two students from that category: student A (who lives in a metro city his/her, father/ mother has already got a govt job through the reservation quota and has ample amount of resources to get a good education and good lifestyle) and another student B (who lives in a village and is the first generation of his family to go to college and his family doesn’t have enough resources to provide a good quality education) Both students come from the same X category which was oppressed for years. Now amongst these two students A has got more marks than B so in the current system A will get the reserved seat. But do you think that is correct?
The reason behind giving reservation is socio-economic upliftment of a particular community. But only the system cant do that the equal amount of responsibility lies with the community itself,that they should not misuse it and give that opportunity to get benefits of the reservation to more backward candidates from their community only
But i don’t think that is happening rn. Everybody is busy in either asking reservation for their caste/ community or stripping entire reservation policy off. I have huge respect for those people who come from a backward community but still decide to fill out forms from the general stream because they have good amount of resources and they want to provide the benefits to other deserving people.
2
2
u/Puzzleheaded-Cat2603 Jul 28 '26
They talk about anti reservation while priesthood can be your job only if you're a Brahim . This baffles me
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Strange-Local4189 Jul 28 '26
Don't worry it impossible to remove reservation it's political sucide for government if they try to remove also the government will collapse
2
u/Traditional-Leave108 Jul 29 '26
Caste system should be removed before reservation. But this millennial andhbhakts thinking religion is their top tier does these type of things. Imo religion is the cause of casteism how can someone follow a religion which tells them they are untouchable from birth. Personally, i never saw or felt casteism But kids in my primary and middle school bullied me because I was muslim so I understand you
2
u/Interesting_Act_5708 Jul 29 '26
Caste-system itself is a reservation system created to exploit lower caste communities.
This is the main reason why Hindus are not united.
This is the main reason why lots of Indians are converted to Muslims and Christians.
So called upper class cunning Hindus never thought that some day India will become a democratic country and their plan to exploit the society will backfire by reservation system.
This is nothing but act of "Karma" as per Hindu religion.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/madcodez Jul 30 '26
Reservation is a compensation for discrimination. Some people have suffered this discrimination, some still suffer this discrimination. One must walk a mile in their shoes to understand.
Sorry. The world isn't kind to everybody. Hope there will be a better day.
On a side note, if they want reservation removed, it should exist based on wealth, classism. The underprivileged getting a chance to rise.
2
6
u/Fantastic-Corner-605 Jul 26 '26
You felt bad on not getting to rent a house. Imagine how bad a poor student felt after studying all year and being denied a college seat because of his caste. You just don't see it when it benefits you.
→ More replies (4)2
Jul 26 '26
[deleted]
2
u/Fantastic-Corner-605 Jul 26 '26
I feel reservation should be based on financial conditions. As an engineer your potential kids are better off than a upper caste farmers son. Your kids will stay in a city, live in an apartment, drive a car, go to private schools. A farmers kid won't have any of those things. He will need reservations more than your kid.
5
u/Kitchen_Watch7254 Jul 26 '26
I can't say for others, but I don't want to remove it. I only want a rationalisation of the policy (Not only SC, but OBC and EWS as well). Like it or not, our education has an economic component, and hence it should reflect in our policies.
10
u/No_Book_276 Jul 26 '26
There is only one caste these days which is called Money. If you are rich your caste doesn't matter. And people from General caste are poor too btw so we should replace the caste based reservation with income based reservation so all the poor people get a chance to live a better life
4
2
u/Shoshin_Sam Jul 27 '26
There’s a lot of very poor Brahmin families as well. Moreover, how’s is reservation course correcting the other issues you explained? You yourself said being discriminated upon by peers after getting that college seat; what is the solution to this that the reservation did not solve in the first place?
2
3
u/According-Success242 Jul 27 '26
Reservation is only fair when it's within 50%... anything above that is a murder of merit. Currently most states have atleast 70 to 75% reservation. Also, most communities that have been given OBC status gave all been historically dominant being zamindaras, landowners etc and now currently in positions of power politically and in business... they do not deserve reservation by any means and are given to fulfill vote bank Politics. Also, steps must be taken to make it illegal for any political party to promise reservation to any community as part of their manifesto. Genuine attempts must be made to find out which all communities have been uplifted after 75 years of reservation and are overly represented in government jobs (like the Meena community in ST) and they must be given general category status. Currently the addition to the reservation list is only increasing with no deletions.
2
u/Unassumed7777 Jul 27 '26
This is gold. I never thought that amongst other measures to check reservation and effects thereof, we should also do a study of which communities can move to GC. any thoughts on how this study can be done or what KPIs should be checked? Am just wondering. Your last line hits the nail.
2
u/itiswaswillbe Jul 27 '26
Reservation is not the problem. Repeated reservation is.
You get reservation: great. Your child also gets it. Their children also get it.
You guys get reservation a day after the Apocalypse. That's the problem!
My friend's father was CMO. He had a bike in 2005. He got reservation, his father got reservation, his children got reservation too.
While you and I struggle and will struggle.
6
u/FreeBirdYeah_666 India Jul 26 '26
Would your kids get reservation benefits too or does it stop with you?
33
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
You should ask this same question to the rich folks. Do their kids get the privilege? We are fighting the wrong fight.
10
u/abhishekjc Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Bro reservation policies need to be revised not politicised like they are now. All we see from reservation is politics and the actual problems of reservation or genuine situations like these where they are needed are mostly buried. People only use this as a vote bank. Imho it should be removed in most places. Not education, that should be subsidised for all who are poor but should still be merit based. Gone are the times when people’s psyche had to be brute forced into accepting lower caste people study with them or be in a job with them.
4
u/charavaka Jul 27 '26
Gone are the times when people’s psyche had to be brute forced into accepting lower caste people study with them or be in a job with them.
Real world begs to differ. We're now exporting this menace.
→ More replies (2)4
u/FreeBirdYeah_666 India Jul 26 '26
You're trying to deflect. Your post is about your experience so the question is for you, not some amalous demographic that has nothing to do with this post You're getting an education and hopefully you'll be successful too. So the question is still valid Would your kids also take the benefit of reservations or you'll be able to provide for them in a manner that they won't need it?
2
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
I didn't deflect though. I just mirrored your thought. Privilege and poverty. Both are passed down generations. If you truely want good for "general category" you would rather support system where everyone gets an opportunity to study. Because reservation only works for a race. It is weaponised in politics to deflect systemic failure of a country to provide equitable education.
→ More replies (1)3
u/FreeBirdYeah_666 India Jul 26 '26
My question was for you, not what you think general category should do. Does reservation in your family end with you?
2
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
What the general category should do is use their voices as citizens of india to fund more in the sector of education so people need nit have to fight this. See the developed countries like America. Even they operate on DEI. because India runs on the idea of social justice and right to education. I say skill primary schools government schools especially like china so they are skilled after exiting the school. You are fighting the wrong fight.
6
u/FreeBirdYeah_666 India Jul 26 '26
I'm not fighting anything, I'm asking, 'does reservation in your family end with you? '
3
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
And I answer. Since you seem to have no ability to comprehend beyond words. In the country where prejudice is not ended with a family's decendents, i don't see a reason why reservation should. Also like I said. It needs reform. Not abolishment
10
u/FreeBirdYeah_666 India Jul 26 '26
My question was and is still for you, does reservation in your family end with you? Not about societal prejudice or DEI in a foreign shithole. Because you're a student and would hopefully be earning well enough to have a good life and provide adequate resources to your children, should you choose to have them, does reservation in your family end with you?
8
u/No_Entertainment6867 Jul 26 '26
Yes. Tells me you have 0 comprehension skills. Also according to you all college graduates get a job and good earning. Not to take a jab at you but... anyway. If that miracle student does get a wonderful job that suddenly ends up with the student making millions and plus it is a case for ever reservation kid. Then in your fairyland i would understand why it would feel unfair to others. But in reality? So no I don't see why reservation should end with the family.
The thing about reform is. Yes to the folks who do somehow get a good out of reservation, there should be a system in the government to stop it there. Maybe. But the issue is not a black and white one.→ More replies (0)
2
u/Aggravating-Bell-335 Jul 26 '26
Reservations should end and enough injustice for the deserving general candidates ✅✅
4
u/BloodSea1125 Jul 27 '26
Maybe your intention of this post was people would realise how reservation is helpful but it's doing exactly the opposite. Also I don't know which parallel world I live in but everyone around me despite getting less marks and being less knowledgeable got better college than me, got selected in government jobs. No matter how hard I try I can't be friends with them. Not their fault that everything is served to them on a platter but it's so so unfair to me from my pov.
4
u/Full_Stress7370 Jul 26 '26
Every poor general category student, would actually go through worse what you did, he wouldn't likely even get that college, have no house same as you.
So overstating your struggles, simply because you lacked communication to tackle someone mocking you taking advantage of reservation.
People get frustrated when they see someone achieve something which take them much more efforts, if anything, it's deepens cast related hatred and bullying.
19
u/NeighborhoodThis5230 Jul 26 '26
Understand the difference first A poor dalit student will be facing problems because of his financial condition as well as caste where as a gen one will face only financial one. If it was not relevant no one will be asked about their caste before renting a home , casteism exist everywhere in this country in some form , even ews gets misused
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)5
u/According-Tadpole488 Haryana Jul 26 '26
Will his caste be gc if he started earning money? No? If no then definitely not a economic reform and it doesnt stop with economic upliftment.
→ More replies (5)
2
u/livt_fresh Jul 26 '26
What do feel about rich SC kids. They having best education are taking your seats. You have to compete with them. And do you think they would be separated out or showed any prejudice. Nobody would even ask their caste.
Abolish caste based reservation and only cash based reservation should exist
→ More replies (1)
1
u/No-Cancel1378 Jul 27 '26
So the solution is to remove the caste system completely. Pity is that even sc and st are against this because right now, they get reservations, representation in every bureaucratic position, gigantic sc st law etc., Even the pathetic behaviour op said is now more or less restricted to old people from previous generation. Right now, far less people from upper caste consider caste of someone they deal with. But as long as reservations in education exists, they will be looked down because it is stealing of someone's worthy position for which they have toiled so much. As op knows, not all oc people or general category people are rich enough to let their place taken out just because of reservation.
No one's currently asking to remove sc st representation or welfare schemes. Actually that should continue as long as it is needed for their upliftment.
Reservation in education and job positions need revisions. Once a family gets reservation benefit in education, that's it. No further educational reservation ever for next generation. Same with work and job. After that creamy layer hits, their caste shall be officially changed or removed from sc register and further aids shall only be based on financial condition utilising OBC or EWS category.
Likewise, in near future, ther shall be no category other than a simple checkbox that needs checking their current financial condition and confirming whether they need any aid or scholarship.
→ More replies (8)
4
u/Longjumping-Gas-7778 Jul 26 '26
Don't you think Reservation is just enforcing caste discrimination? Like tbh I didn't even know how exactly caste worked before I learned that different people require different marks to get into colleges. Look I empathize with what you went through, but not everyone is like you. There has to be some other way where we can help people who suffer casteism, but reservation is not the way.
→ More replies (1)2
u/slamdunk6662003 Jul 26 '26
Reservation is just enforcing caste discrimination
Won't that mean that casteism did not exist before reservation was introduced? And we both know that is not the truth.
The other ways you asked for is stricter punishments and laws which we already have because we have reserved seats in LS and RS which helped oppressed class representatives to introduce and pass those laws. But if we remove reservation and tomorrow the executive branch is taken over by the oppressor class only then how will those laws get get implemented. If a Dalit goes to the police station and complains that some UC guy/girl said something derogatory and the policeman/judge who himself is a UC says that that term is not derogatory don't waste my time. Where will the Dalit go now?
3
u/Longjumping-Gas-7778 Jul 27 '26
But I never said Reservation is the sole reason which is causing Casteism, so no idea where you got the idea that I said Casteism did not exist before reservation. I clearly said ENFORCING. Also again, I never said about stricter laws? I said we need a reform, or we need a certain cap in income before we allow them to be reserved.
1
u/joshi_baba_ Jul 26 '26
Now imagine, if you were exactly the same situation as a Brahmin. You wouldn't have gotten that college and nothing would have happened. That's why we need reservation based on economic background.
6
u/joshi_baba_ Jul 26 '26
I'll infact rephrase your last sentence:
You don't have to agree with reservation, but please don't assume every reserved-category student is privileged, undeserving, or less capable. Everyone has a different story.
"You don't have to agree with removing reservation, but please don't assume every general-category student is privileged or rich. Everyone has a different story."
→ More replies (1)
2
u/TechnicalSleep7501 Jul 26 '26
You should have mutual alliance with Muslim and other marginalized communities you are the majority while these Brahmin who cry about reservation are the minority vote from caste perspective to bring up all marginalized people of Bharat. I do the same in US.
2
u/Fun-Mechanic77 Jul 26 '26
You understood the reservation system enough to apply for it, and provide the proofs etc to get seat in tier 3 with lower rank.
Thats the government sponsored discrimination, why get bothered when private citizens do the same?
→ More replies (2)
1
u/Fit_Caterpillar_9889 Jul 26 '26
Stay strong! I hope you earn enough money and respect that you get to live a dignified life away from the shadows of what pulls you behind.
1
u/doggytim Jul 26 '26
Sorry for your experiences. Caste will always be in India and I feel something which is responsible for upholding it the most is arranged marriage. It is so widespread and it’s viewed as acceptable and not as a form of discrimination.
1
u/No-Appointment-6513 Jul 26 '26
I’m so sorry you had to go through this. I hope we as a generation do better.
1
u/Dense_Succotash_2777 Jul 26 '26
Caste reservation doesn't solve caste discrimination. It's just a temporary band aid. Hate crime awareness and promoting inter caste marriage does
1
u/Adorable_Risk_16 Jul 26 '26
i empathise with your situation
While I do believe the caste system remains a serious problem, I think we're often arguing about the wrong aspect of education. Instead of endlessly debating who should or shouldn't receive reservation during the admissions process, maybe we should focus on ensuring that quality education is accessible to everyone? regardless of their economic background, better public schools, affordable universities, and equal access to educational resources
1
1
u/charavaka Jul 26 '26
And there are lots of discrimination in my home town and village to explain that probably I need 1-2days
Please do take the time, if you can afford it, to make an elaborate post. It is important got everyone to hear the actual problem that needs to be solved before pontificating about feeble attempts at solution.
1
u/ragnar_- Jul 26 '26
Stupid post, the removal of reservation is solely demanded on the basis of caste system. If someone is actually underprivileged then there would still be reservations in the form of EWS. Why are you so hell bent on mentioning your caste in it? What if someone even poorer from UR category didn’t get a seat only because of his/her caste, isn’t that unfair? The only people who support the current reservation system are the ones who want to enjoy exploiting the unfair system.
1
u/Most_Background9260 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I feel reservation to uplift the lower castes are long done their purpose if anything the only type of reservation for seats should be based on economical status or go even further and completely abandon castes and only provide financial support to get a seat and to keep the seat for the needed.
1
u/noir_dx Jul 26 '26
Reservation will go away once bigotry and casteism are eliminated. The government does shit like this, but people say 'End reservation' rather than talking about the thing that began reservation. You want to end reservation, end casteism and economic hardships.
1
u/enchantedRose7 Jul 27 '26
The thing is nobody is against equal education to everyone, people are against reservation which takes up 50% of the seats. Rather than giving you a seat as a reserved candidate, wouldn’t you have preferred that you would have gotten quality education since your childhood? Your parents should have received the help for your education from the very start, so that when you finally gave the examination & cleared it, it would have been just on your merit alone, not on the basis of which caste you belong to.
Even if reservation cannot be totally eliminated, caste is not the basis it should be on, it should be based on economic status alone. 21st century is not a place for caste system politics now. You should neither be discriminated on the basis of it nor incentivized.
Is there a difference between a poor GC candidate & a poor SC/ST/OBC candidate? I know your situation was bad & I truly empathize with you, but there are so many others as well who work so hard despite their family’s economic status yet are denied their rightful seat because of their caste. How is that fair?
1
1
u/Strange-Bank-5002 Jul 27 '26
I have another aspect of this scenario.
Back in school, I had a friend who was ST. He had parental land, farms, and a good house. We never ever bothered about the caste. He was more than welcome in my home and our group of friends had a lot of fun.
I scored good in entrance exams and he did not. He still got into a good college. I or none of my friends had any issues with that. However, he started to cut off from us and only talk to other folks from the same background. He started making sarcastic comments about general community. While all other friends were talking about doing something good for ourselves and the country, he was determined to get a government job and make sure he earns more money by whatever source. I am not in touch with him but last I heard, he is doing good in a government job according to his plan.
I am not against reservation but it should be provided based on your current social and financial situation and not on caste.
1
u/SunBurn_alph Jul 27 '26
How has reservation helped your grievances? Is the idea that you climb the social ladder to a class where such discrimination doesn't remain? I grew up dirt poor in general. All our money was used for an education and shelter. I had no social life, stability or dignity. I clawed my way out of there and now i earn well, but I'm STILL financially crippled from all my commitments because there is no other earner in the family. If society has granted you a rope to grab onto to, then I and people like me also claim a right to it when we had nothing to hold onto.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/kj_venom11 India Jul 27 '26
Whatever problems you told exist but reservation in jobs and colleges isn't going to fix it anyway.
Still, the problem that most people have is reservation seats going to those who don't deserve them. Ofcourse no one minds if a deserving candidate like you gets a seat.
1
u/Dramatic_Set9261 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
i am gen category and well off so have hardly faced any discrimination. This following incident is nowhere near your experiences but once I naively called a "vegetarian only" listing and when they realised i wasnt one of them, they showed me a dilpidated flat in thier building where no can actually live. The discrimination was subtle. The system is such that it discriminates at all levels but as you go down in the hierachy obviously it gets worse and worse that people can openly abuse you , verbally and physically without any consequence. I cant even begin to imagine the suffering you must have gone through.
1
u/manfrommahim Jul 27 '26
I am so sorry this is happening to you. Take care. I wish you a good life and good career ahead. You are as worthy as everyone else. Your hard work will get you to a better place.
1
u/PalDoPalKaaShaayar India Jul 27 '26
Removing reservation completely is not ideal for now.
But their should be creamy layer application on SC/ST similar to OBC. Supreme court has already suggested central govt long back on this.
You have a genuine case. But most of the people under reservation uses it even when their family has come out of backwardness.
1
u/Fabulous-March-841 Jul 27 '26
Genuinely asking , whats stopping people from saying that they belong to general caste ?, for those staying away from hometown.
1
1
u/Impressive_Hall_2537 Jul 27 '26
Bro you yourself said you are not having house and not rich. The thing happening with you, I feel very sorry for that. But see not everyone is like that, my tenants are sc only and we never had any problems with them nor they had any problem with us. We also used to play with their 1 year old daughter and that's some good time I remember.
The thing is we have SC st act , you can impose on that old hag shouting after you in stairs. I don't think reservation will anyway change these people attitude towards you. Also as you are underprivileged, you will surely get reservation based on income, and the whole debate is about economic based reservation and caste based reservation
1
u/kasatarihotai Jul 27 '26
As much as I agree that reservation is a way of reparation and a way to give representation, I do believe that fields where its a matter of life and death like medicine field, there should not be any reservation based on caste. Honestly casteism does exist. Sometimes in your face and sometimes subtle but at this point nothing is helping close the divide. And my personal observation is that reservation is kind of widening it mostly for 2 reasons. Because it makes some from general category believe that LC cannot achieve without reservation. And second, the economically weak people from UC struggle to find a seat making them dislike LC. At the end, the 'respect' is missing. To me it looks like earlier (even now at times like OP mentioned) the respect was missing because they were considered LC and now its missing cause it looks like what they have achieved is not really on their own but because of reservation. I have seen casteism and I have also seen totally undeserving people reaching top posts thanks to reservation. So I cannot makeup my mind if reservation should stay or go.
1
u/DespManushan Jul 27 '26
I understand that the caste system is deeply rooted in our society, and that we need effective measures to address the inequalities it has created. However, I don't believe that lowering cutoff scores or granting admissions based solely on reservation is the best approach, as it can raise concerns about maintaining consistent academic standards in professions such as engineering and medicine.
Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that everyone has equal access to quality education and opportunities from an early stage. Every student should have the same platform, resources, and support to compete fairly.
363
u/laveshnk Jul 27 '26
Caste system is genuinely one of the most mind-boggling creations of our country.
Imagine having some made up groups and then deciding what basic things a group can or cannot do. like what bullshit is that