You are a thinking and sensitive Indian. You read English, live in a city and belong to an ‘upper caste’. Not that you cared for it, or thought it made any difference, till Mandal II rudely reminded you of the accident of your birth. You don’t like the caste system and its inequalities. In fact you are not in favour of any kind of inequalities. But you are hurt when being an upper caste is made to sound like an allegation. You were shocked by how cynical politicians could play their petty games and announce a divisive scheme to promote their vote banks. You felt for the protesting students and wished them success. You were outraged by the government’s decision. You look up to the courts and worry about the future of our country.

If some of this description fits you, do read on. Here are some of your questions. The answers may not suit your own interest. As a sensitive Indian, you are not into promoting your self-interest. You want a fair and just society. The answers may not be to your liking. As a thinking Indian you do not want affirmation of whatever you may have believed. You are open to new facts and perspectives.

Why do we need to discuss something as clear as this? Isn’t it obvious that OBC reservation is all about vote bank politics?

Of course it is. The motives of the politicians in this game have been consistently unholy and motivated by a calculus of votes. But to blame politicians for it is like blaming a shopkeeper for wanting to make profit. This is the logic of market/electoral democracy: the fear of losing customers/voters makes a shopkeeper/politician serve the customers/citizens.

... contd.