Mentor’s Comment:

Introduction should talk about the affirmative action – Affirmative action is like directly supporting the individual of some section of society. For example reservation across educational institutions and government jobs for SCs and STs and OBCs etc. Further, various policies for women and children.

Further bring arguments against such affirmative actions like against equality, merit, few elites are taking more advantages among the sections, and the major point that such policies prevented assimilation.

Next , bring arguments for supporting affirmative actions like unequal can’t be treated equally, these are systematic positive discrimination, helped many in upliftment, etc…etc…

Bring conclusion based on the points mentioned in main body.

Model Answer:

Affirmative action policies have been a matter of intense debate. India has one of the largest programs for affirmative action in the form of reservations across educational institutions and government jobs for its socially disadvantaged groups – the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Further, it has various policies aimed at positive discrimination for women.

Arguments against:

1. ‘Affirmative action policies’ go against principle of equality.
2. It overrules merit as the number 1 criteria.
3. Issues with targeting – Its benefits have been cornered by few elites among these groups.
4. These policies have prevented the assimilation.

Arguments for:

1. It doesn’t violate the principle of equality before law which states that unequals can’t be treated equally.
2. The reasons for Affirmative action policies are to rectify systematic discrimination and institutionalized inequality.
3. The framers of the constitution have provided such policies not on the grounds of religion or caste but on factors of social, political and economic marginalization.

It is a well known fact that Affirmative Action has helped in the empowerment of these groups.

1. Many individuals from these backward classes have achieved great heights because of reservations. Eg. Speaker Mira Kumar, our Current President R. Kovind to name a few are all aided by the reservation policy in their initial career.
2. They have become more aware of their rights and are now more assertive wrt their demands from the government. Eg. The patidars.
3. This has in turn strengthened our democracy. Many regional parties represent their interests. They have emerged as strong pressure groups. Eg. The Bahujan Samaj Party.

Conclusion:

• Despite the success stories, it cannot be denied that there is indeed a targeting problem. Improper certification process and lack of scrutiny. At the same time, the lack of creamy layer among SC/ST prevents these benefits to reach the ones that are actually marginalised.