In a significant move to placate the influential forward communities in Kerala, the Left Government on Wednesday decided to give seat reservation in colleges and universities for the economically-backward of the forward communities. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said that the reservation quota in colleges would be 10 per cent and in universities 7.5 per cent.

In Kerala, Hindu Nair and Christian (except the Latin Catholic) communities mainly form the forward block, while the Muslims and Ezhava/Thiyya Hindus compose the backward. Nair community and Christian communities have locked horns with the CPM-led Government on several issues, particularly on reforms in the education sector. Nair Service Society, representing the Nair Community, had recently decided to join hands with the Christians to fight against the Left Government's education policies. By ensuring seat reservation, the CPM hopes to mend ways with the Christians and Nairs in Kerala, against the backdrop of the ensuing election.

The NSS has been fighting for job reservation in government service for the financially weak in the forward communities. The NSS has been of the opinion that the decades-old job reservation for the backward communities has outlived its purpose as OBC communities have ensured enough representation in government service.

NSS general secretary P K Narayana Panicker said his outfit welcomed the government decision. “The NSS has been demanding job reservation for the economically backward of the forward communities. While fixing the criteria for reservation in jobs and educational institutions, the creamy layer in the backward communities should be entirely kept away from the purview of reservation,” he said.

... contd.