It's 1989 all over again. It's Mandal commission and report all over again.

The then incumbent ill-fated Janata Dal Government tabled the Mandal commission report with proposal to implement it in order to garner popular votes and ensure second term. They miscalculated. It did not take into consideration the uprising by the common man and the high wire act of coalition politics. The proposal drew ire from its biggest ally the BJP which was supporting it.

Many people burnt themselves in protest seeing the futility of the entire system. History is repeating itself. The UPA government is again proposing (or has it implemented?) reseverations in India's premier educational institutes despite protests / warnings from industry stalwarts like N. R. Narayana Murthy and likes. I had noted earlier in my weblog that this is not a step of progressive government. This is an act of a political party who is interested in ensuring victory in the next elections (though they are 3 years away). Any such act which suppresses the majority is going to have a strong backlash and push back progress of country by several years if not decades.

Protests have already started and I heard that the protest has claimed its first victim. Subhash Srivastava, an AIIMS student died as a result of hunger strike to protest the reservations. One of my friend on Orkut wrote:

Hi Friends, Sorry for giving you a very bad news, it may be one of the worst news after the Independence. Subhash Srivastav an AIIMS student died at 6:44 pm on 20/05/2006, because of hunger strike protesting against reservation. Media is not allowed to cover it. Please pass this to all and help not to let down his sacrifice.

Certainly this is sad state of affairs and I cannot help wonder at the wisdom of such actions by the government or Congress party. I am not political. I was once political and was a right wing liberal staunchly supporting the BJP for its idealogy and leaders. However their reign at the center has left me disappointed and not willing to support any political party. How can I be sure that BJP won't do something similarly irrational?

Given that I am not in India right now, what incentive do I have to return back to India? My son is just a toddler, but if the reservations are introduced (again assuming that they are not already in place) can I assure him that he will have a fair chance to get into premier institutes based on his merit? Won't he be disappointed to see that less deserving candidates are getting admissions in the IITs and IIMs ahead of him just because they are from certain caste or religion? If the people who are India's future are disappointed and not motivated and patriotic then is there any uncertainty about India's future?

The government of India has to wake up and change its mindset. Be it Indian National Congress, BJP, Janata Dal or any other party. The only way to ensure continuous progress and growth is by looking forward. You cannot ensure progress of the backward classes by introducing reservations into the system. It can be done by providing facilities, creating opportunities, improving infrastructure and a firm vision in the future.

Maybe the time has come for the Gen-X of India (you and me) to get together and take control. Not in Rang De Basanti style (I, incidentally did not agree with that action), but by infiltrating the government. Starting up a new political outfit that will be truly secure and progress oriented and accountable to the people of India.