The quota demands are certainly result of the politics of patronage and there is a need to shift political discourse to empowerment of people." Critically discuss.

There has been a surge in the recent times in number of communities claiming reservation in government jobs and education as a pre-condition for political support. Starting from the Jats in north India to the Marathas in Maharashtra and Patidars of Gujarat, agitations in these lines have increased. The shocking fact is that all these communities are classified under the rich landed category with good hold over trade and commerce. The issue has arisen with respect to their marginal presence in professions like tech startups or civil services. The demand has been to treat them at par with ‘other backward classes’ indicating the far-fetching implications of reservations.
One of the biggest causes of quota demands are: reduction in job creation in the economy. But the solution lies in developing the organized sector through higher level of skill training and education, changing in work culture, more of formal finance etc. The quota demand can only address the problems of one community, resulting in selfish growth and of course, loss of fair chance to other more qualified ones. Thus, there is a need to shift political discourse from patronage on the basis of caste and community to enabling groups to develop to their fullest potential as per needs of the economy. A qualitative rather than political approach will be helpful.

Topics: GS-II: Mechanisms Laws for Protection of Vulnerable Sections