Reservation in India: A Critical Examination of its Role as an Upliftment Mechanism and Political Instrument
TOPIC CONTRUBUTOR KAUSHIK BHAGURKAR I. Executive Summary Reservation in India, a system of affirmative action, was established with the explicit objective of ensuring representation for "socially and economically backward" castes and communities in higher education, public sector employment, and political representation. 1 This policy, deeply rooted in India's history of social stratification, was conceived as a vital instrument for social upliftment, aiming to correct centuries of systemic discrimination and inequality. However, the very nature of allocating specified percentages of quotas and the contentious debates surrounding its implementation have also rendered it a potent tool in the political landscape. 1 The inherent tension between its foundational goal of upliftment and its frequent utilization as a political instrument forms the central inquiry of this report. This analysis will delve into the historical context, constitutional intent, socio-economic achi...