NSS comes out against case census, says reservation is appeasement policy

Changanassery: The Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said in a statement that policies such as caste reservation and caste census were driven by appeasement strategies of political parties, bowing to pressure from specific caste groups acting as vote banks. 

NSS said the case-based reservation system was against the Indian constitution and that it helped to grow animosity between the 'Savarna' and ‘Avarna’ castes.

“The demand for caste-based reservation and caste-wise census is a result of political parties adopting appeasement policies under the pressure of caste groups acting as influential vote banks. 

Caste reservation is detrimental and challenges the integrity of our nation. This reservation, initially intended for ten years after independence, has not achieved its goals even after 76 years. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that caste reservation violates Article 15(1) of the Indian Constitution. However, governments have often overridden such court judgments.”

“Caste reservation fosters increased racial discrimination, fosters competition between different castes, and exacerbates casteism. Concessions provided in the name of caste reservation dilute educational and employment qualifications.”

“Caste reservation gives rise to a culture of animosity between reserved and non-reserved castes, and helps to grow the Savarna and Avarna culture. We must replace it with an inclusive alternative system that recognizes everyone as equal, irrespective of their caste or religion," the organisation said in a press release.