New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday said Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh had violated the model code of conduct by announcing a 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Communities (OBC) in Central universities and colleges.
In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary, the Commission asked for Singh's explanation by 5 pm on Monday.
The commission said Singh's announcement "amounts to new concessions to certain sections of the electorate" in five states where Assembly elections are being held and is "prima facie violation of the model code of conduct."
The 27 per cent reservation will be implemented in medical colleges too, the government announced on Saturday.
Increase seats, says President
President A P J Abdul Kalam made his first comment on issue on Saturday. He said setting up more higher education institutions and increasing the number of seats will make reservations meaningless.
Kalam, who was speaking after inaugurating the National Immunisation Day, said he believed reservations would be meaningless by increasing the number of seats in educational institutions.
In reply to a question regarding protests against increasing quotas in IITs and IIMs, he said the number of seats in these institutes should be increased.
The new reservation system has created a debate and a controversy in the country.
The HRD Minister has said the Prime Minister knew about the proposal.
"It's strange that the decision on reservation has created a controversy. The decision was taken by PM in person, and now if he is not in the loop, it’s really strange," Singh said.
"I know some people are trying to create a controversy and whip up the issue," Singh said. The PM was kept informed when the proposal was being considered and President A P J Abdul Kalam had approved the idea as well, he said.
The proposal has divided opinion across the country. Some people say the proposal will bring about social justice and others say it will create new caste divisions. A decision to implement the new quota will be announced after assembly elections in five states.
Capital outrage
Students are unable to take up the issue strongly because of exams, but say there will be widespread protests if the government tries to enforce reservation through a law. "We have no other option. We need to do something before this becomes a law," a DU student said.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi students were more vocal about their resentment. Nearly 150 students protested outside the institute on Friday and said they were outraged that the proposal could lead to almost 49 per cent seats being reserved in IITs and IIMs.
Quota is cool in Bihar
"This is a great move and should have been implemented much earlier. I welcome the proposal," said Maya Shankar Yadav, a college student in Bihar.
Bihar colleges have more number of OBC students than in any other colleges in India and they struggle for recognition with the upper caste of the state.
But this time around, they have found support in politicians who feel the Government has finally provided justice to the deprived.
"This is great move and certainly better late than never. These students have been fighting for their rights and this proposal comes as a huge relief,' Spokesman, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shyam Razak says.
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Except the RJD, no political party has come out in the open to voice its opinion as this is a politically sensitive issue and they do not want to tamper with their vote banks.
But as far as OBCs of the state are concerned, they have already started fancying their chances.
"Reservations are given to the poor only, so the student community welcomes it," Kumar Anubhav, another college student says.
India Inc united in resentment
Reactions have started coming in from India Inc. Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has objected to the Government's proposal.
"It's sad because it will divide the country into different groups. We are Indians first, and any move that divides us or hurts this feeling will be a wrong. Merit should be the main criteria," he said.
IT czar and Infosys Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy, too, vehemently opposed quotas in IIMs.
"I am totally against the quota system in management schools. In my opinion, a better model would be to spend extra money in preparing the youth for the selection process," he said.
At present, only scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students enjoy the benefit of 22.5 per cent reservation, that includes 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent for both categories respectively.
A Bill passed to undo a Supreme Court order scrapping quota in educational institutions makes it mandatory for Central and State governments to reserve seats for other backward classes (OBCs).
Arjun Singh has made it clear that reservation for backward classes in these institutes would be hiked to 49.5 per cent from 22.5 per cent.
(with inputs from Piyush Pushpak and Agencies)
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