IBNLive Chat: Quota row - Privatise higher education

NO RESERVATION: Dr Anirudh Lochan, founder member YFE, says reservation in educational institutes is regressive.

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The Supreme Court's Thursday judgement giving a green signal to the OBC quotas in educational institutes supported by the Central government has kicked up a huge storm.

While pro-reservation activists hailed it as a landmark step towards removing social inequities, those against the very idea of reservation have slammed the measure.

Dr Anirudh Lochan, one of the founder members of Youth For Equality forum, has been one such vocal figure, demanding an end to reservation in educational institutions.

In a webchat organised by IBNLive.com, Lochan spells out why the country doesn't need reservation.

Reproduced below is the full text of the chat.

Siddharth: I have read on some blogs that we now should fight for the General Quota. The politicians are once again guilty of passing down a decree without taking into account the chaos that will be brought about in the education system. The clash of Meritocracy vs Castocracy is now evident. Can we assume that this could be the start of another brain drain from India?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Don’t assume. Brain drain is a reality. Almost half of my batchmates have already left because they were unable to find jobs or seats in higher courses. Do you know, every year, nearly 5 billion dollars are spent on such students by their parents? I think that it is time for people like you and me to enter this political system and fight not just for any particular section, but for the future of our country’s children as a whole.

Rahul: Is there anything that can be done now given that SC has given a decision in favour of quota? I am wondering if re-appealing might be of any help to any of us out here who favour meritocracy over casteism at the higher education level. Though would like to add, I am still in favor of a plan promoting education for the so-called "under-privileged" at the primary level to get them on par.

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Yes, you are right in thinking of a re appeal. We will once we are able to understand what exactly the judgement means. And yes, like you, I too am in favour of improving our primary education system, so that the root cause of inequality can be rooted out.

Cheena: Do you have plans for mass agitation with sort of non-alignment movement with all sections of society? What are alternate plans we can do for the people being oppressed by this policy?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Not yet. What you mentioned is the last step that we will take if and when all legal options have been extinguished. As of now we are still hopeful of winning in the courts itself. If we fail, well then, we have shown the world what the youth of India can do if pushed into a corner.

Mohan: I want to know if this observation is also applicable in M.TECH -2008 admission in IIT ,NIT THIS YEAR. Although some IIT registration dates have closed and some are about to.

Dr Anirudh Lochan: I am sorry Mohan, but the exact details are still emerging. We are still to know the exact time frame for the quota process. Hopefully, we would know in a day or two.

Sandy: Hey, now it looks certain that this quota is here to stay for eternity. So how does YFE plan to move ahead? Any plans for moving the courts to ask govt to allow private sector to enter education sector? If yes what is the probability of seeing it through?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Till the Left parties are in power, I don’t see this logical step happening. The right way forward is for the govt to concentrate on primary education and to leave higher education to the private sector, with scholarship programmes for the poor being started. That is the right way and we promise to keep fighting for it.

Vishal: Don’t you think that if the same trend is followed, then soon we will see reservation in private sector too which will affect our economic growth?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Yes I do and that is why our organisation is still fighting. And I assure you, that in the end, YFE will emerge victorious.

David Mende: Why is the public in general having this mindset that the presence of OBCs will dilute the education? Are we not ready to give them their rightful share?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Yes we are. But only to those who are genuinely backward and not to the kin of politicians like our railways minister. Reservation, if given to the genuine poor candidates, will only help the country in the long run.

Prakhar: Do you vote Dr. Anirudh?

Dr Anirudh Lochan: Yes I do. And having seen the status of today’s politicians, I have also decided to contest in elections soon enough. I hope others also do the same.