Yes

Opportunity for all

Affirmative action in the form of “reservation” in jobs is an effective step to elevate oppressed sections of society and bring them into the mainstream. 

Dipayan Pal, 
Hans Raj College, Delhi 

Constitutional right

The myriad marginalised groups in India who have been historically deprived of education and jobs need reservation to compete with the privileged ones who had access to education in the past. This is one of the constitutional rights of marginalised people and it actually helps spread the essence of equality and fraternity.

Srijani Mitra, 
South Point High School, 
Calcutta

Level playing field

Reservation as a policy is justified because it allows the less fortunate to rise up to the level playing field of the fortunate ones. I, however, believe that reservation should be done on the basis of income and not caste.
Rageshree Bhattacharyya, 
Class XII, Loreto House, 
Calcutta

Caste bias

Even now we look down on people from so-called lower castes and deprive them of better opportunities in education as well as employment. In earlier times, the upper castes who were in power reserved almost all privileges for themselves. The reservation system will help redress the genuine disadvantage some castes have to suffer. 

Suraj Samuel Soren, 
St Xavier’s College, Calcutta

Economic basis

Reservation in jobs will probably be fairer if it is provided for economically backward classes instead of socially backward classes. 

Angelina Banerjee, 
Class IX, Sudhir Memorial Institute, Madhyamgram

No

Skill matters

Jobs should be given to candidates on the basis of their qualifications and skills, not their caste. If an incompetent candidate is recruited because of his caste, the efficiency of the organisation will suffer.
Shashank Sharma, 
Don Bosco School, Liluah

No merit

The reservation policy acts as a disincentive to meritorious candidates. Brilliant students who are victims of the reservation policy often get frustrated. Due to that policy, our country will be deprived of talented and able people. Thus, it inhibits healthy development of an individual as well as the country.

Farheen Ali, 
Class XI, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Latehar, 
Jharkhand

Hampers the economy

Due to reservation, organisations have to hire comparatively less capable employees or keep the post vacant. This leads to lower output of the organisation and hampers the economy.
Sreevatsh Sekhsaria, 
Class  XII, Birla Bharati School, Calcutta

A privilege or insult

If all are equal before law, if all enjoy equal rights, if all are Indians, then why is there reservation? In the name of protecting their rights, isn’t reservation marking them out as weak and unable to stand up for themselves?

Brishti Mitra, 
St Joseph’s High School, Matigara, Darjeeling

Education enough

Reservation in academics is enough to bring socially backward students on par with their privileged peers. So reservation in jobs are not necessary. 

Koyel Banerjee, 
First year, Basanti Devi 
College, Calcutta

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