Continued Jrom page 9 constituencies were reserved for scheduled caste and tribal candidates.

But by Singh's dispensation. 49.5 per cent of people from both categories, or over 70 per cent of India's 900 million people, are now guaranteed placement in most educational institutions and assured government employment at all levels.

Initially, the Mandal Commission had wanted a quota of around 52 per cent for 3.743 other backward communities in addition to the existing 22.5 per cent for untouchables. But since the Supreme Court had already set a 50 per cent ceiling on reservations, the Commission recommended a 27 per cent quota for OBCs.

Singh's decision to implement the new reservation policies led to country-wide demonstrations in which scores of people were killed by police and some upper-casLe students, suddenly finding themselves discriminated against, even burned themselves to death in protest.

The army was called tn to restore order in numerous towns, including New Delhi, but the protests burgeoned, leading eventually to the fall Of

Singh's government.

Implementation of Singh's affirmative action policy was shelved. But it was not long before other political parties recognised the potential electoral advantages of implementing it. With cosmetic changes, it was eventually adopted and implemented In 1993 by the current Congress government of Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao.

According to Rao’s plan. 27 per cent of jobs in all central government and public sector enterprises are now earmarked for Indians belonging to around 1,200 Identified socially and economically disadvantaged groups. The same applies for those seeking admission to any federal educational institution.

Opponents of the policy say these groupings are arbitrary. For example, an underprivileged, low-caste person may be eligible to benefit from affirmative action in one state while another person from the same caste grouping is deemed socially privileged in another state.

The caste system — a complex Hindu social order in which certain groups are elevated above others — originated thousands Of years ago

It divides society into four general castes, with thousands of sub-castes. Members of the highest, or priestly caste, are known as Brahihtns. the lowest. manual labourers, are called Sudras. Between are the Kshatriyas or warriors and the Vaishyas or traders.

Outside these four castes are the Untouchables — out-castes generally associated with "unclean" Jobs such as removing human waste and scavenging.

Caste cannot be changed except through the endless cycle of death and re-birth. And this, too. Is dependent on Karma, good deeds during a life-time.

While polite society tends to downplay the pervasiveness of caste, the caste system defines social arrangements such as food habits and decorum. Newspaper advertisements for marriage partners always state preferences for caste.

The cause of bettering the lot of lower castes via direct government patronage is one no politician would publicly criticise for fear of losing votes. They reason that affirmative action equals votes to ensure their continuance in office. The resultant violence, to them, seems incidental.

RAHUL BEDI is a freelance Indian Journalist based in New Delhi