The definition given by forward class people to reservation will not be seen even in encyclopaedias. The sarcasm was that reservation is an unnecessary arrangement to resolve the deficiency of intelligence.

They also spurned the claim that reservation is a solution to the remnants of social injustice of the past. What all were the jibes? They laughed off the reservation, saying that Dalits and other backward class need to run only 90 metre for a 100 metre race.

When the Parliament approved a constitutional amendment for giving reservation to 10 per cent of economically backward people out of the forward class, the people who poked fun at reservation started welcoming it.

The people who stamped the word reservation with a black mark of humiliation themselves unconditionally deleted them. For centuries, the backward class people were denied the best education due to caste-based discrimination. They couldn’t even dream about the best education.

The present times are witnessing another version of those bad state of affairs. As the distance between the rich and poor is increasing, there is a different kind of inequality in society now.

Two kinds of citizens are being moulded even from primary education level. Children from poor families won’t be able to see even the door steps of schools where tens of thousands of rupees are paid as fees.

As that is the case, inferiority complex conquers the hearts of such children instead of self-confidence. This inequality, which is a side-effect of poverty, will keep on increasing as persons climb the steps of higher education.

For instance, without attending highly expensive coaching classes, getting a job or admission to vocational course is extremely difficult. Getting pushed back in competitive exams may not be merely due to lack of intelligence. However intelligent a person is, if circumstances are not equal or similar to that of others, the result may not be the same.

It is then reservation becomes a necessity. Now it may be presumed that those who once opposed reservation have also come to understand this reality. When the bill was smoothly sailed through with 2/3rd majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, it was natural for Dalit-backward class to feel anxious.

The agitation of Maratha, Gujjar and Rajputh and imminent Parliament election are generally said to be the reason for the excitement of ruling party and parties in opposition side. Is this the only reason?

Will this, be same state if a bill that gives some new benefits to backward and Dalit classes is introduced? The anxiety among these classes is that whether this unusual bonhomie among parties in the case of economic reservation bill will be a persuasive factor to harass them.

Certain sociologists have pointed out earlier that allowing the criteria of economy in reservation will be like giving space to camels. Meanwhile, the realisation that reservation is an inevitable thing can be utilised.

Even public sector institutions are being privatised one by one. Privatisation is happening in two ways: 1) public sector shares are being sold out 2) opening areas once banned to private sectors.

Whatever be the way social justice is like a line drawn on water. The awareness received by reservation haters should be seen in this context. Some years ago, there was a demand for reservation in private sector also. This demand was nipped in the bud following opposition from the part of people who were against reservation.

Now as the confusion over reservation has died down, the demand for reservation in private sectors is gaining momentum. In a country where there is discrimination and unequal opportunities, reservation is an essentiality.