The sensible response to the reservations movement is to see it as a political movement with a natural trajectory. The British insistence that an army officer purchase his commission (hoping to exclude poorer classes who might be tempted to start another Cromwellian revolution) was abandoned after the disastrous Crimean War proved that moronic rich officers who “buy” commissions can be a menace to the country’s defence. They extended the franchise to the poor through the Great Reform Bill to counter the possible radicalisation of the populace.

Our responses too have been in the best British traditions of evolutionary constitutional democracy — acceding to political realism. From Naoroji to Shahu Maharaj to the present Supreme Court, we have understood that the real issue is political power. Employment and higher education patterns will need to adapt if an explosion is not to happen. The dexterity with which we bend and manipulate purist arguments and carry on with the broad Indian journey towards prosperity and justice is being tested. So far, we have met the test rather well. One can definitely give two cheers for Indian democracy!

Now we need to widely publicise the behaviour rather than the words of the OBC leaders. Mr Karunanidhi sent his daughter to study in a private English medium missionary convent school. Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Lalu Yadav have both sent their children to elite private English medium boarding schools. The next movement should ask why all OBCs should not have similar opportunities. Since they cannot afford the fees, why can we not give vouchers and bursaries to poor OBC parents so that they too, like their leaders, can choose better schools rather than be stuck with low quality non-English medium government schools? A school choice programme will not only improve our human capital dramatically but could be the ultimate vote-winner!

... contd.