TODAY -

Reservation: A Reflection on the Bollywood film "Aarakshan"

Madhu Chandra *

Aarakshan Hindi Movie



The Bollywood film 'Aarakshan' is ready to release on August 14, just a day before the 65th Indian Independence Day. The members of Dalit, also known as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Others Backward Classes (OBC) have suspicions about anti reservation motive behind the film.

The members of Dalit and OBC communities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have opposed. The protestors attacked home and office of the producer of the film Mr. Prakash Jha today in Mumbai. National Commission for Scheduled Caste has issued notice to the Censor Board to show the film to the Commission before the release.

The issue has become a talk of the hour after terrorism and corruption. Talks are interesting and rather impressive, particularly the exclusive shows on Headlines Today, NDTV and CNN IBN.

'Aarakshan' means reservation in Hindi - the affirmative action for SC/ST and OBC in government jobs and educational institutions under constitutional mandatory 27% for OBC, 15% for SC and 7.5% for ST, totalling 49.5% are reserved. Supreme Court of India has restricted reservation only up to 50%, which is allegedly believed by Dalits and OBC as a neo form of reservation for upper caste whose population is comparatively low.

Reservation is the not what the members of Dalit, who represent 25% of Indian population demanded. It was a demand for separate electorate under the leadership of Indian Constitution architect Bhim Rao Ambedkar and given by British Indian Parliament in the Round Table conference at London. The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi opposed Bhim Rao Ambedkar and went to fast unto death against separate electorate. Thereafter, reservation for Dalits for government jobs, education and parliament elections was agreed in Pune Pact 1932.

Coming back to TV debate shows on the film 'Aarakshan', Mr. Prakash Jha and Bollywood film star Amitabh Bachchan who acted in the film, repeatedly said that the film is neither anti-reservation nor pro. Only after the release, if allowed, the exact contents of the film will come to the light. However, there is a suspicious phenomenon that film will provoke anti reservation propaganda among Indian societies.

Mr. Prakash Jha spoke, 'The film does not talk only about reservation, it also talks about commercialisation of education and globalisation.' If that is so, then why did he choose 'Aarakshan' not 'Commercialisation of Education' or 'Globalisation' to name the film?

Selecting Mr Bachchan to act in this film is also another matter of question. He has taken his position on caste census last year, saying, 'I am an Indian First' denying the reality of Indian societies controlled by caste and its stigma. Denying and choosing to ignore the reality of caste system within Indian societies is the symptom of anti marginalised people. The person, who have taken such position on caste reality and chosen to act as the main character in the film, could be for the hidden motive of anti reservation propaganda.

Mr Bachchan said that he does not have reservation in his film industries and open to everyone. Then why does he not have a single Dalit star in his film industry till today? Whereas, in western society, after the racism broke out, blacks will act with whites in Hollywood, perhaps Mr Bachchan needs to answer why differences between the two?

Other co-actors of the film expressed during the TV shows that the motive behind making of the film is to promote the idea of equality among Indian societies. This sounds exactly what like 'Youth for Equality' the anti reservation movement headed by upper caste medical students in 2006 when 27% OBC reservation in higher technical educational institutions was introduced by former Union education minister, Shri Arjun Singh.

CNN IBN did a poll while the debate on the film is going on, asked by Mr Bachchan, 'Has reservation helped people'? 67% says no and 33% no with 334 number of votes. Will this poll give the real answer to the question? No, because, people who voted the poll on TV show and online, are those who are able to understand and English. Dalit and OBC communities who do not understand nor speak English, can never vote the poll as they do not understand the content of the debate. Those Dalit and OBC members who voted in the poll are those who are able to read and write English, that too is result of reservation.

Dalits and OBC are kept unequal socially, economically and educational for 3000 years, then where come the matter of equality among Indian societies? Reservation has brought socio-economic and educational changes at some level of equality among small section of Indian societies. This could have never happened without reservation. Without reservation, the members of Dalits and OBC will be pushed to the place where there were socially, economically and educationally earlier.

The symptom of opposing reservation and anti reservation movement is the reflection of two things: First, the upper caste, who represent 15% of Indian population, who have been enjoying socio-political, economic, education and religion opportunities, seems threatened of their control and share as seats in job and education are given for reserved categories.

Second, allowing the Dalits and members of OBC to come up in life through reservation provision will empower them educationally and economically, who could challenge the socio-religious disproportion of Indian societies.

What threatens reservation today is the rise of privatisation. The privatisation in globalised world and globalisation era is undeniable reality for economic survival and economic boom of the nation. But it will limit the socio-economic and educational upliftment for marginalised people of India until affirmation alternative is arranged in private companies. Currently, there is no law to ensure reservation in private companies. The corporate has opposed the idea of giving reservation.

To ensure future socio-economic and educational opportunities for Dalits and OBC, reservation in private sector is critical issue.


* Madhu Chandra is a social activist and research scholar based in New Delhi. He works as Regional Secretary of All India Christian Council (www.indianchristians.in), Spokes Person of North East Support Centre & Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) and National Secretary of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations (www.scstconfederation.org).
The writer can be contacted at finicy(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on August 08, 2011.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • L Rup's Robot 'Kangleinganbi' in Manipuri
  • Art- means of connecting hearts in Manipur
  • Is it Living Alive or Living Death ? :: Poem
  • Rabies - A preventable zoonotic disease
  • April 19, 2024: The blackest day of all
  • Ugly turns on voting day
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • The chasm between TB & HIV continues
  • Parliament and its Members
  • Kimchi for health and glowing skin
  • LS election with a difference
  • To vote, or not to vote ?
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamjao, Kakching
  • The Power of Poppy - 27 :: Poem
  • Mother Language based education essential
  • Modi's warriors wear regional hats
  • Nest Asia promoting Northeastern Cuisine
  • Now look beyond LS poll
  • The rot in the system
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laitonjam Warjeet
  • Community seed bank @Umathel : Gallery
  • 10 candidates cracked Civil Services Exam
  • Milk of Paradise: History of Opium : Rvw
  • How plastics find their way into our bodies
  • Condemning attack on Trucks along NH-37
  • Cong looking to buck the trend
  • Saving Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #2
  • Election Duty :: Travellog
  • 1st Nagas' Meet in Punjab
  • How to select right MP to represent Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Tejpur
  • Bats are Keystone species for the Planet
  • The '15 days' conundrum
  • Free but not so fair
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #30: Download
  • Before You Vote : My Rumbling Thoughts
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Kakching
  • Meiraba wins All India Sr tournament
  • Finding light in dark through my daughter
  • Navigating life's unreasonable expectations
  • Test of people's character
  • BJP's election manifesto
  • Athoubasingi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Black rice & Glycemic Index
  • What Nadda should speak at Dimapur rally
  • Open Letter to CM Office Manipur
  • Meghalaya unveils Strawberry festival
  • Benefits of maths newspapers for students
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #1 : Gallery
  • Are you a good person ?
  • Physics Academy of NE : Executive Body
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Moirang
  • Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin launched
  • Cong on cautious path
  • Botox for Hair
  • Posers voters should raise now
  • The lull before the storm
  • 80th Anniv- Battle of Kanglatongbi @UK
  • Vir Chakra Ngangom Joydutta's bust unveiled
  • Hun - Thadou Cultural Festival : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Singjamei
  • Election Eclipses: Ballad of Battle & Loss
  • Our voices are equal at the ballot box
  • Scientists of Manipur : Ngangkham Nimai
  • Urgent Call for Solidarity in Manipur
  • Meitei Nongsha #2 :: An Artwork
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Waikhong
  • About NPF-BJP-NPP alliance & why ?
  • World Veterinary Day, 2024
  • The heavy stake behind the LS polls
  • The politics of lying & deception
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • Hun-Thadou Cultural Fest @ Delhi: Report
  • Appeal to Parties & Candidates
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Wangoo
  • Establishment of community seed bank
  • Awareness Programme on new Criminal Laws
  • Make a right choice at the Lok Sabha election
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #1
  • RIST talk-58 : Support systems of elderly
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Hiyanglam
  • Vote, do not boycott !
  • Lok Sabha election: A new dawn in politics ?
  • IIT-Guwahati Half Marathon report
  • Taking ST demand to the election ring
  • Lesson to be learnt from across border
  • Mirabai: Poised for Paris Olympics
  • Legal position for protection of environment
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Keisamthong
  • Heterocyclic compound & biochemical science
  • Inner, torn between two lovers
  • Certification Music Therapy Workshop
  • NOTA as a choice
  • Caesar's wife must be above suspicion
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #29: Download
  • World Health Day 2024
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Pangantabi
  • The Power of Poppy - 26 :: Poem
  • Fulbright Fellowship Outreach at Arunachal
  • Id-ul Fitr da namaz nattana..
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #13 :: Book
  • Lok Sabha election is coming, be prepared
  • 6th Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival
  • Let There Be Free & Fair Election
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamlong
  • Science magazines are important for student
  • Interesting choice of candidates
  • The power of We, the voters
  • Inspirations from Scientists of Manipur #1
  • The Case for Amendment of Article 371-C
  • Meitei Nongsha #1 :: Artwork
  • Link between forest & conflict in Manipur
  • Final Call for Application MFA - Phase-2
  • ST for Meiteis call before elections
  • Passing the buck
  • Beating of the Retreat #1 : Gallery
  • Life of our Lives in Ethnic Strife Era! :: Poem
  • IIT-Guwahati annual Half Marathon
  • Follow up: European Parliament on Manipur
  • Yoga & Kegel exercise: Pelvic floor workout
  • Opting for the NOTA button
  • Yearning of the displaced people
  • Kenedy Khuman (Singer) : Gallery
  • 5th NE Women's Peace Congregation
  • World Autism Awareness Day 2024
  • Election fever grips Manipur despite unrest
  • Looking for a decent election hustings
  • Clock ticking towards voting day
  • An exemplary directive
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #1 : Gallery
  • Memo to Election Commission of India
  • Easter & Holi echo in Nilgiris
  • Holiday Camp for children at JNMDA, Imphal
  • Zero waste is our moral responsibility
  • Elections & loyalty vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Show of strength without unity
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #2 : Gallery
  • Panthoi Chanu : 1st to play in Australia
  • Intensive labs in film preservation
  • Building bridges with books
  • Need of the hour: Political maturity
  • Accepting defeat before the election
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #28: Download
  • April Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Natural packaging from bamboo : Gallery
  • The Power of Poppy - 25 :: Poem
  • Everyone has their own Bharat Ratna
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #12 :: Book
  • Demand- Manipuri as classical language
  • The Drummer from Odisha
  • Beauty benefits of lemon
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur's original Ponies : Gallery
  • Yaoshang & Dance of Democracy loom
  • Symposium on Jagadguru Shankaracharya
  • Choosing ITI as a campus after X
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang @Nabadwip Dham : Gallery
  • How oral health affects your pregnancy
  • Two faces of Holi
  • Prawaas 4.0, Multimodal Transport Show
  • A decade of development of higher education
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #1 : Gallery
  • Our Eternal Kangleipak :: Poem
  • Micro-livestock for livelihoods: For NE States
  • The fun of Holi used to be monotonous
  • 2nd Annual Art Exhibition #1 : Gallery
  • About the "Meitei" community from Manipur
  • Unveiling the medicinal benefits of honey
  • The incalculable value of wildlife
  • Promises of true love
  • Trends, Alliances, & Challenges in Elections
  • Meitei Goddess Ngaleima : An Artwork
  • Water is the most precious gift of God
  • Bharat needs a strong 'India'
  • Transformation of railway stations
  • Not quite the final countdown
  • Missing of 'The Saffron' from electoral colour
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #27: Download
  • 3rd North East Games: Manipur champion
  • The Power of Poppy - 24 :: Poem
  • EBTC & JCRE signed MoU
  • Early Detection Program at Toubul
  • How Holi affects our mood & mental health
  • Lamta Thangja @ Imphal : Gallery
  • Manipur cinema legacy shines at ARCUREA
  • The pulse of politics amidst conflict
  • Forest is most important vital organ of Earth
  • Tips to play safe Holi
  • Politics of naming candidates
  • Disappearing of spring from season cycle
  • Meira Paibis of Manipur
  • Demand for ST status by Meiteis
  • Project Personal Opening @Assam University
  • World Poetry Day at Manipur University
  • Green skills for sustainable world
  • Supportive interventions during exam time
  • Interesting run up to LS polls
  • Onus definitely on PM to restore peace
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #11 :: Book
  • Water, water everywhere ...
  • 21st March - A special day for Forest
  • RI imprisonment to Rapists at Silchar
  • Arrests threaten fragile ceasefire
  • The Valor Within :: Poem
  • Monitoring the rehab centres
  • True colour of politicians
  • North East Film Festival #2 : Gallery
  • Linthoingambi- 'Jury Honourable Mention'
  • Meitei Goddess Phouoibi : An Artwork #3
  • Formation of Wesean Student Federation
  • 20th March- International Day of Happiness
  • A call to first time voter youths
  • Playing the card close to its chest
  • Targeting FOCS and ITLF
  • Students @ Class X Exam : Gallery
  • Saroi Khangba @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Special scholarship scheme for girls
  • Imphal Book Fair 2023 #3 : Gallery
  • Protest for scrapping SoO #2 :Gallery
  • Maharaj Narasingh Statue @Kangla :Gallery
  • Shopping List for Shivaratri : Gallery
  • N Tombi Equestrian C'ships #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #1: Gallery
  • Radio E-pao: Manipuri Film OST (130+ song)
  • Save Manipur : Protest [Feb 15] #3 : Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina- Wushu Medallist : Gallery
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD