Dear Friends, Jaibheem!
The various debates on the reservation policy generated in the wake of OBC reservation has provided us an opportunity to critically engage with the nature of the reservation policy that was formulated at the time of the creation of the 'Indian nation'. The differing perceptions about the nature of this policy among the stake holders is an issue that requires our immediate attention as it directly impacts our understanding of equal citizenship rights for those who have been historically denied these rights in our caste-based society. In the recent verdict of the Supreme Court upholding the law providing 27 per cent quota for the OBCs in central higher educational institutions, one of the Judges, Justice Raveendran, equated the reservation policy to a 'temporary crutch' that can become a 'permanent liability' by its 'unnecessary prolonged use'. Coming from a learned Judge of a Supreme Court, such an understanding of the reservation policy merits attention. Then, there is an entire gamut of arguments ranging from 'merit' to 'creamy layer' to 'paucity of reliable data' that is continuously being thrown by the media-created anti-reservation frenzy that seems to be a natural corollary to the 'temporary crutch' perception of the reservation policy. *Is reservation policy a 'crutch' or one possible way for a majority to become equal citizens of this country rather than remain subservient to the creamy layer of this country?* With this question and all other issues related to the reservation policy, *INSIGHT Study Circle* invites you for a public talk on *18th May*. *Speakers:* *1. Prof. Sathish Despande* [*Faculty, Sociology Department, Delhi School of Economics*] *2. Dr. Smita Gupta* [*Associated with Indian School for Women's Studies and Development]* *3. Dr. Narender Kumar* [*Faculty, KR Narayanan Center for Dalit and Minority Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia*] *4. Members of Insight Editorial Collective* (Dr. Ajita Rao, Dr. Rakesh Rana & Anoop Kumar) will present papers on various aspects of the issue, like the politics of reservation, the Indian media and the anti-reservation protests. *Venue: - Indian Social Institute (ISI),* [*10, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi*] *Time: - 10:30 am to 1 pm* *Date: - 18th May, 2008 (Sunday)* ------------------- INSIGHT: YOUNG VOICES is an English bimonthly Dalit youth magazine. One of our prime objectives has been to create a platform for Dalit students and youth to share their views and to interact with scholars, academicians, activists and organizations working on the issues related with the Dalit community. Towards this, our study circle organizes meetings on any particular issue every month. We encourage young Dalit students/ researchers/ activists to share their work with us during the meetings of Study Circle. For more information please contact our Study Circle Coordinators: - Dr Ajita Rao [EMAIL PROTECTED], Dr. Rakesh Rana [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call @ 09313432410 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
