But this entire debate about their population size is irrelevant to the current reservation scheme. The figure of 27 per cent has nothing to do with their population estimate. This figure is dictated by the Supreme Court judgment that prohibited more than 50 per cent reservations. Since the SC and ST reservation already accounted for 22.5 per cent, the maximum permissible for any additional group was 27 per cent. As long as everyone agrees, which they do, that the OBCs are more than 27 per cent of the population, the dispute about their share of population has no relevance for their reservation quota.

Doesn’t this quota deprive the upper caste of their legitimate share?

All the upper castes (all those from any religion who do not qualify currently for SC, ST or OBC quota) are about 33 per cent of population. Even after the OBC reservation is introduced, at least 50 per cent of the seats in higher education will still be open to them. So, strictly in the narrow caste-share calculations, it is not clear how the upper caste are being deprived of ‘their’ due. The problem is not that of their share of the cake; the real problem is that of the very small size of the cake. The number of seats available

in higher education is just too small compared to the pool of eligible and deserving candidates.

Let us get back. That the OBCs are disadvantaged does not mean that they should get reservations. Does it?

... contd.