A public meeting as announced previously over 2 weeks in Asian voice, which was conveyed to a large number of organisations and individuals, took place on Sunday 13 September at the Patidar House in London Road, Wembley Central. On 28 August I wrote to various organisations here and leaders of PAAS as well as to the Chief Minister of Gujarat and other media organisations. The Commissioner for Information of Gujarat Government, as instructed by the CM, replied in detail in Gujarati and the entire correspondence was distributed to all the people present on 13th September.
Mr Dinesh Patel, President of the Federation of Patidar Associations welcomed all the participants as the Chairman of the meeting. Some 34 prominent leaders of various Indian organisations (mainly Gujarati) were able to attend the meeting inspite of a very short notice, and problems related to traffic in that area etc.
Mr Dinesh Patel in his welcoming address set the agenda by saying that we have gathered together today to deliberate for a very important and a serious matter affecting a large number of people both in the 'reserved' and 'non-reserved' category in the admission in government institutions of higher learning as well as government jobs.”
He appealed for all the participants to articulate their views, calmly and constructively to reach a meaningful decision which will be conveyed to all the stake holders in Gujarat as well as India.
The chairman then asked me to explain the historical background and update the meeting with the latest news in this matter.
I thanked the Chairman for a warm and inspiring welcoming address as well as express grateful thanks on behalf of all the participants to the Federation for providing the facilities for this meeting as well as previous plannary meeting on 10 September.
Reservation was not in the public domain till 1920. The British Government sent a delegation at the end of the First World War to recommend the future of India as a Dominion in the British Empire. The visit by Mr Morley and Mr Minto published the report, “Morley-Minto Reform” and made several suggestions among which one referred to the future elections.
A very subtle suggestion in the report was about some sort of separation of the electorates on the basis of religion and caste.
In 1930 a Round Table Conference was arranged in London where representative of various groups attended. Mahatma Gandhi was the sole representative of the Indian National Congress. Mr Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the delegation of the Muslim League. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar represented the Dalits and similarly there were representatives of Sikhs, Anglo Indians, and some other groups.
The Round Table Conference was a failure mainly because Gandhiji was not agreeable to divide the Indian electorates (thereby people) on religion or caste lines.
On his return to India, Gandhi was arrested for his Civil Disobedience movement and sent to Aga Khan palace (or Yerwada prison) near Pune. Subsequently Gandhiji went on fast about the Imperial Power spearheading the Dalit and other divisive dimensions. Situation was very tense. To his credit Dr Ambedkar met Gandhiji and a verbal agreement was reached to resolve this problem constructively and amicably at the appropriate time ie on independence of India.
In 1937 provincial elections took place all over India. Subject of religion and caste was one of the serious issues but Congress was able to win outright most of the provinces of British India. After the Second World War, the Atlee government was determined to give India full independence and after many discussions, deliberations and especially the massacre in August 1946 in Kolkata, action day called by Mr M Surhawardi, the Chief Minister of Bengal where thousands were murdered, mainly Hindus.
Ultimately India was divided on religious lines and Pakistan was given independence on 14 August and India on 15 August. By that time a Constitution Assembly was formed for independent India and one of the main architect was Dr Ambedkar.
When the Constitution was first introduced on 26 November 1949, article 334 titled "reservation of seats and special representation to cease after 20 years". This was mainly referring to Anglo Indian community, Dalits, Tribals in the House of the People.
I briefly reported on various amendments to the Constitution in 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000. I also briefly explained the Mandal commission report and the large scale inter-caste violence. The 95th amendment extending 'reservation' till 2020 proposed by Mr Ram Jethmalani. That means that 22% 'reservation' and 'quota' for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and subsequently added by 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBC) is the law of the land as per the Constitution amendment which will remain effective till 2020. I also briefly dwelt on the Supreme Court decision of putting a ceiling of 50% to the 'reservation quota' all over India.
The 69% 'reservation' in Tamil Nadu was also mentioned. After my submission, several leaders present expressed their views, in a very dignified manner. They spoke about the present agitation by PAAS (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) which comprises many other high caste communities besides Patels. Shock, sadness and embarrassment and the subsequent violence of 25-26 August was mentioned by several speakers. It was expressed that when India has to develop its economy as the priority, such violence discourage foreign and internal investment and in the case of Patel community, it brings them undeserved bad reputation.
Speakers also expressed their desire to pass a resolution to reflect the views of this public meeting. After almost one and a half hours discussions Mr Hasmukh Vasava presented draft resolution previously agreed upon in the plannery meeting. The eight point resolution was displayed on a large screen and also read over loudly to the audience.
The resolution includes:
1) The meeting expressed the deep sadness and has appealed to all those concerned with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, to ensure that verbal violence which leads to other extreme violence should never again happen.
2) The public meeting denounced the police atrocities on 25th and 26th August, and has called on the Gujarat Government to bring to book all those police officers and men who took the law into their own hands.
3) The meeting resolved to urge both the protestors and the government to sit across the table and discuss calmly and constructively the issues related to the reservation policy, enshrined in the constitution of India and subsequently, upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
4) The meeting discussed the background and the history of the reservation policy and the common consensus was clear that however noble the intention may have been, the caste based reservation policy has become untenable in the present day about admission to educational institutions and government jobs.
5) It was decided that in the changing social structure of India of tomorrow, primacy must be given to merit although some sort of support may be desired for those at the bottom, but it should be more on economic and other criteria. But the caste based reservation policy is not only untenable, for it is also embarrassing and insulting to the people whom it aspires to help.
6) Some members expressed the views that with the passage of time backed by the constitutional safeguards for the backward classes, the founding fathers had hoped that an egalitarian and just society would be created and that discrimination and atrocities against Dalits and tribal would cease. This has not completely happened, the prejudice still exists and there are cases where even when reserved category candidates are selected on their own merit they are being looked down and that attitude of the society needs to change.
7) The members discussed that those who have been benefited by reservation for example directly recruited IAS, IFS,IPS, IRS, and politicians like Chief Ministers, Governors and cabinet minister at centre, their children should be excluded from the reservation benefit so that less privileged members from their community get the opportunity. Also those communities which are adequately represented in the govt services should also be excluded. For example the ‘Meena’ community from Rajasthan who fall under ST category are already more than adequately represented and therefore they should be excluded .These changes do not require constitutional amendment.
8) The members unanimously decided to accord grand welcome to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi when he visits UK in November: The Indian diaspora in UK & Europe are eagerly awaiting the visit of Indian Prime Minister to UK. The historical connection between two countries needs no reiteration and members felt that visit would lead to further strengthening of ties between UK and India.
Mr Vasava, himself a member of ST is an experienced banker who previously took part as a co-author on this delicate subject and addressed large number of meetings all over India. His own experience as a senior manager of HR was itself of enormous assistance during the discussions.
Mr Vasava, answered several questions from the audience and when the 8 point resolution was presented a question was raised about the reaction of Patels in USA about Modi's visit to San Francisco on 27 September. I said that some Patels have announced that they are going to show black flags to PM Modi. Immediately several members present denounced such behaviour and I asked for what should be our stand when Modi addresses a huge gathering on 13 November at the Wembley Stadium in Britain when he is here on a State Visit at the invitation of the British PM and his government.
In the original draft the section 8, the word overwhelming was used and several representatives said it should be 'unanimous'. The resolution was approved except one gentleman expressing his reservation. Others opposed to that objection and the entire resolution was passed.
I personally believe, and I spoke on those lines at the meeting, that India and UK have an excellent relationship and PM Modi's visit is a very important step for further cooperation. David Cameron and his government have been very active to expand our economic and other relationship with India to even greater heights and more investment and trade will be to the advantage to both countries, in the present circumstances. I also explained that this campaign by PAAS is untimely and unfortunate. Virtually it is impossible to change anything in this matter without two-third of majority in both Houses of Indian Parliament and State Assemblies. However painful the present reservation-quota regime is, the protest leading to violence is not the option preferable.
I also developed themes which were briefly mentioned in my articles in Asian Voice. The meeting which began formerly at about 2:30pm ended just after 5pm amicably and the resolution has been conveyed to the authorities and individuals both here and in India.
- CB
