PROTECTIVE DISCRIMINATION IN POST INDEPENDENT INDIA: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Indian society is characterized by a high degree of structural diversity based upon the organization of people into different strata like caste and ethnic groups. In this system, people are categorized into social groups of castes and assigned hierarchal and unequal social status and rights which are predetermined by birth. Certain classes of Indian citizens are under severe social and economic disadvantages so that they cannot effectively enjoy either equality of status or of opportunities available in the society. Therefore, the Constitution accords to these weaker sections of society protective discrimination in various articles. Protective discrimination is the policy of granting special privileges to the downtrodden and the underprivileged sections of society. The intention of “Reservation” was to improve the conditions of the backward castes and communities of the society but now the effects of reservation have been severe and damaging the quality of the social life. It is an emerging issue to judge and analyze the impacts of reservation on education. In this investigation it is to explore how far and to what extent we need reservation and the present reservation policy should be revised.