The March: Against Terrorism Against Corruption (ATAC)

Dear Friends,
This is to bring to your kind attention that World Alliance for Youth Empowerment (WAYE) and Youth for Equality (YFE) along with many other groups are going to have a massive rally on March 1st in New Delhi @ Parliament Street.
T H E M A R C H Against Corruption. Against Terrorism
*Date: *March 1, 2009
*Venue: *Parliament Street, New Delhi
*Time: *2pm
SUPPORTING PARTNER: Youth For Equality
Charon taraf andhera har ore bekali hai
Koi nahin batata kashti kidhar chali hai
Majdhar hai bhanwar hai ya paas hai kinara
Ya naash aa raha ya saubhagya ka sitara
Tamvedhini kiran ka sandhan mangta hoon
Dhruv ki kathin ghadi mein pehchaan maangta hoon
* **(Excerpts from a poem By Ramdhari Singh Dinkar)***Before independence this poem…*Inspired a man to awaken and overthrow the shackles of British dominationon his country. **His name was Bhagat Singh.***Today this poem will inspire…*A generation to awaken and overthrow the shackles of corruption and terrorin our country. Our names are many.
*Aiming to mobilise over 1 lakh citizens to march together and raise aunified voice against corruption and terrorism.Pledging to build a corruption free nation.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation,has conceptualized this march to awaken and empower citizens in order to createan on-ground structure that will actually effect a change in societalcircumstances and situations. In keeping with His vision and mission of astress-free, violence-free planet where individuals contribute towards thegoal of a One-World Family, this initiative has a three pronged purpose:-
1) Creating public awareness and mobilizing people, organizations andcommunities towards the cause of rooting out corruption and terrorism from the country.
2) Organizing a forum and an activity structure in partnership with variousNGO's, bodies to involve citizen participation (esp. Youth) in thedemocratic process and address social issues.
3) Taking sustainable action at the grass root level, system level andpolicy level towards nation building*
**WHY DO THIS NOW?*
India has the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt nationsin the world, ranking a poor 45 of the 49 countries evaluated on the WorldEconomic Forum Survey 2003 'Honesty' index.A dangerous manifestation of corruption is terrorism. According to thedatabase information released by START (The National Consortium for theStudy of Terrorism and Responses to Terror) 4,108 terrorist incidentsoccurred in India between 1970 to 2004 which put India into sixth place inTerrorism hit nations list. More than 400 people died in terror attacks in2008. The actual figure is unknown.As a country, we need to actively start moving in a concerted way againstthese twin evils that are now threatening our very existence.The support and ownership of civil society is an important element ineradicating the problemof corruption and terrorism.*HOW DO WE ACHIEVE OUR GOAL?*The Youth wing of the Art of Living, World Alliance for Youth Empowerment(WAYE) will spearhead this year-long nation wide movement, starting withthis march, that will have the active support and participation of allsections of civil society including educational institutions, NGO's, Residents'welfare organisations, Youth groups, Social service organisations, Culturalorganisations, Corporate houses, and Individuals from all walks of life.The objective is to awaken and empower people, especially the youth, toparticipate in the democratic process.Under the sensitisation theme of "Make your Country your Valentine", weendeavour to catalyze this movement, across the nation, with a 3 fold solution: AWARENESS,ACCOUNTABILITY & ACTION.*
The aim is to make the youth aware of their role and propel them to bringabout social transformation by active participation in the democraticprocess.**So let us send out a call to our country to create a safe society. A society which has no fear in walking into an airplane, train, bus. Or whenwe enter a mall, cinema, hotel, with our children. Or our very own homes.*
*Let us take responsibility and bring the change- for our future and ourfuture generations**
**Ask not what your country can do for you,**Ask what you can do for your country.*

So this movement is yet another attempt to bring all the concerned citizens on one stage. Hence, we would want all big small groups/association/organizations extending support to this rally. It would be even more great if few of the representatives from your organization can come to attend the same. For more details regarding the same you can visit the website

http://www.themarch.in

You can also get the latest updates on the same by sending SMS MARCH to 56767
You can also contact
Saket Kumar on : 09870710963or Dr Kaushal Mishra on: 09868340420

Congratulations!! One battle won by YFE

In a significant development, 47 top institutions in the country including the IITs and IIMs as well as the central university will be exempted from faculty reservations.

The job reservations for SC/ST citizens in India so far has been through a bunch executive order.

In the last session, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) introduced a bill to provide a framework for job quotas. But the HRD ministry informed the IIT council today that the bill will not include India's premier institutions.

The HRD ministry informed the council in a meeting that their long standing demand to exempt IITs and IIMs from faculty reservations has been met.

The UPA in the last session has introduced as bill in Parliament to provide statutory framework to quotas in jobs. The bill is now with the upper house, the Rajya Sabha.

HRD ministry has informed that the bill will exclude 47 top institutes including IITs, IIMs and NITs as well as all central universities, from reservations.

The bill is called SC/ST Post Resevation Bill, 2008.

The Prime Minister had gone to IIT Guwahati last year where the institute made a representation aganst quotas in the faculty of these premier institutes.

For the time its tenure, HRD Minister Arjun Singh has readily conceded to
the demands of the anti-reservation lobby.

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You can join the google group:

http://groups.google.com/group/yfecentral?hl=en

Remember, Together we can bring a change in the society and we will!!

Jai Hind

Job Quota in Private sector

August 16, 2008: The Hindu

KOCHI: A Dalit convention being organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) here on Saturday will make a forceful demand for reservation of jobs for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the private sector.

The reservation issue will top the 17-point charter of demand to be adopted at the meet, which will be held at the Harkishan Singh Surjeet Nagar in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 2 p.m. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat will open the convention.

An array of senior party and government leaders, including Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and party State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, will attend the convention, billed as one of the largest Dalit conventions in the State. The meet aims to politically energise the Dalits and enable them to assert their rights within Kerala's mainstream politics.

Minister for Welfare of Scheduled and Backward Communities A.K. Balan, who is the chairman of the reception committee, told The Hindu that job reservation in the private sector was crucial for the economic emancipation of the Scheduled communities in the times of globalisation. He pointed out that job opportunities were fast shrinking in the government sector and public-sector undertakings. This had affected the Scheduled communities badly, as they were not yet able to compete with general-category job-seekers.

Mr. Balan said strong pressure needed to be put on the Union government for a constitutional amendment to facilitate reservation. The private sector job reservation was on the agenda of the party and the last congress had discussed it.

The meeting would also press the government to identify extra land holdings and allot them to Dalits on a war-footing to solve Dalit landlessness. A major issue that will be discussed at the meet is measures to secure higher education and professional training for the Scheduled Castes community. Though the Dalits were mostly literate now, they lagged behind in terms of higher education and professional education.

Mr. Balan said there was nothing wrong in the CPI(M) organising a Dalit convention and this did not mean that the party was abandoning the class war and promoting caste-based struggles. Organising depressed communities to enable them to assert their rights and fight for their demands was a party policy. Conventions of converted Christians would be the next, he said.

He ruled out any plan to launch a Dalit-specific organisation. The Dalit issue would be tackled within the mainstream political space of the party. He also denied that the CPI(M) Dalit convention was a response to the Chengara agitation where the party was on the defensive.

Elaborate arrangements, including closed-circuit television, have been made at the convention venue. The main stage for the meeting has been designed by film director Shaji N. Karun. About a lakh people are expected to show up for the convention, party sources said.

INDRAJAAL OF TAMILNADU

Indrajaal or illusion is when you perceive a rope as a snake or vice versa. One of the greatest indrajaal of present time can be experienced in Tamil Nadu where Dravidian fascism is being marketed as 'social justice'. Tamil Nadu model of reservation has virtually robbed the minority general community of their dignity and right to life/livelihood and has lead to their disenfranchisement. Analysis of an entrance results or appointment is sufficient to prove it.



The results of Tamil Nadu MBBS and Postgraduate degree courses (MS/MD/MCh) entrance have been declared recently. Highlights of the results are as follows:

Current reservation in Tamil Nadu: Backward Classes ( BC) 23%, Backward Classes Christians (BCC) 3.5%, Backward Classes Muslims(BCM) 3.5%, Most Backward Classes/ Denotified Classes (MBC/DC) 20.0%, Scheduled Castes (SC) 18%, and Scheduled tribes (ST) 1%. Total reservation is 69%.

Remaining 31 % seats belong to Open Category (OC). All above mentioned communities and general non-reserve 'Other Communities (OC) ' can compete for this open category.

There were 1394 seats in MBBS. Out of these, 26 seats were allotted to 'Special Category" candidate'

Distribution of remaining 1368 seats was as follows: BC (312), BCC (48), BCM (48), MBC/DC (275), SC (247), and ST (13). The remaining 425 seats were for Open Category.

In Open Category, about 89% seats were taken away by reserved candidates: BC (244), BCC (28), BCM (18), MBC/DC (60), SC (27), and ST (1).

Other highlights included: ·

The General candidates (OC/OC) could get only 47 seats out of 1368 seats, i.e. only 3.4% seats.

General candidate could get only 47 seats out of 425 open seats, i.e. only 11.0% seats.

Backward Classes (BC+MBC + BCC + BCM) took away 350 seats in Open category, i.e. 82.5% of open category.

In first 50 ranks, only 3 belonged to general, non-reserved communities. Remaining 47 seats were taken away by Backward Classes.

Even SCs captured 27 seats in Open Category and could make about 60% of non-reserved general candidates.

Arjun Singh interviewd by Karan Thapar

Karan Thapar: Do you personally also, as Minister of Human Resource Development, believe that a reservation is the right and proper way to help the OBCs?
Arjun Singh: Certainly, that is one of the most important ways to do it.
Karan Thapar: The right way?
Arjun Singh: Also the right way.
Karan Thapar: In which case, let’s ask a few basic questions; we are talking about the reservations for the OBCs in particular. Do you know what percentage of the Indian population is OBC? Mandal puts it at 52 per cent, the National Sample Survey Organization at 32 per cent, the National Family and Health Survey at 29.8 per cent, which is the correct figure?
Arjun Singh: I think that should be decided by people who are more knowledgeable. But the point is that the OBCs form a fairly sizeable percentage of our population.
Karan Thapar: No doubt, but the reason why it is important to know ‘what percentage’ they form is that if you are going to have reservations for them, then you must know what percentage of the population they are, otherwise you don’t know whether they are already adequately catered in higher educational institutions or not.
Arjun Singh: That is obvious - they are not.
Karan Thapar: Why is it obvious?
Arjun Singh: Obvious because it is something which we all see.
Karan Thapar: Except for the fact that the NSSO, which is a government appointed body, has actually in its research in 1999 - which is the most latest research shown - that 23.5 per cent of all university seats are already with the OBCs. And that is just 8.5 per cent less than what the NSSO believes is the OBC share of the population. So, for a difference of 8 per cent, would reservations be the right way of making up the difference?
Arjun Singh: I wouldn’t like to go behind all this because, as I said, Parliament has taken a view and it has taken a decision, I am a servant of Parliament and I will only implement.
Karan Thapar: Absolutely, Parliament has taken a view, I grant it. But what people question is the simple fact - Is there a need for reservations? If you don’t know what percentage of the country is OBC, and if furthermore, the NSSO is correct in pointing out that already 23.5 per cent of the college seats are with the OBC, then you don’t have a case in terms of need.
Arjun Singh: College seats, I don’t know.
Karan Thapar: According to the NSSO - which is a government appointed body - 23.5 per cent of the college seats are already with the OBCs.
Arjun Singh: What do you mean by college seats?
Karan Thapar: University seats, seats of higher education.
Arjun Singh: Well, I don’t know I have not come across that far.
Karan Thapar: So, when critics say to you that you don’t have a case for reservation in terms of need, what do you say to them?
Arjun Singh: I have said what I had to say and the point is that it is not an issue for us to now debate.
Karan Thapar: You mean the chapter is now closed?
Arjun Singh: The decision has been taken.
Karan Thapar: Regardless of whether there is a need or not, the decision is taken and it is a closed chapter.
Arjun Singh: So far as I can see, it is a closed chapter and that is why I have to implement what all Parliaments have said.
Karan Thapar: Minister, it is not just in terms of ‘need’ that your critics question the decision to have reservation for OBCs in higher education. More importantly, they question whether reservations themselves are efficacious and can work.
For example, a study done by the IITs themselves shows that 50 per cent of the IIT seats for the SCs and STs remain vacant and for the remaining 50 per cent, 25 per cent are the candidates, who even after six years fail to get their degrees. So, clearly, in their case, reservations are not working.
Arjun Singh: I would only say that on this issue, it would not be correct to go by all these figures that have been paraded.
Karan Thapar: You mean the IIT figures themselves could be dubious?
Arjun Singh: Not dubious, but I think that is not the last word.
Karan Thapar: All right, maybe the IIT may not be the last word, let me then quote to you the report of the Parliamentary Committee on the welfare for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes - that is a Parliamentary body.
It says that looking at the Delhi University, between 1995 and 2000; just half the seats for under-graduates at the Scheduled Castes level and just one-third of the seats for under-graduates at the Scheduled Tribes level were filled. All the others went empty, unfilled. So, again, even in Delhi University, reservations are not working.
Arjun Singh: If they are not working, it does not mean that for that reason we don’t need them. There must be some other reason why they are not working and that can be certainly probed and examined. But to say that for this reason, ‘no reservations need to be done’ is not correct.
Karan Thapar: Fifty years after the reservations were made, statistics show, according to The Hindustan Times, that overall in India, only 16 per cent of the places in higher education is occupied by SCs and STs. The quota is 22.5 per cent, which means that only two-thirds of the quota is occupied. One third is going waste, it is being denied to other people.
Arjun Singh: As I said, the kinds of figures that have been brought out, in my perception, do not reflect the realities. Realities are something much more and of course, there is an element of prejudice also.
Karan Thapar: But these are figures that come from a Parliamentary Committee. It can’t be prejudiced; they are your own colleagues.
Arjun Singh: Parliamentary Committee has given the figures, but as to why this has not happened, that is a different matter.
Karan Thapar: I put it to you that you don’t have a case for reservations in terms of need; you don’t have a case for reservations in terms of their efficacy, why then, are you insisting on extending them to the OBCs?
Arjun Singh: I don’t want to use that word, but I think that your argument is basically fallacious.
Karan Thapar: But it is based on all the facts available in the public domain.
Arjun Singh: Those are facts that need to be gone into with more care. What lies behind those facts, why this has not happened, that is also a fact.
Karan Thapar: Let’s approach the issue of reservations differently in that case. Reservations mean that a lesser-qualified candidate gets preference over a more qualified candidate, solely because in this case, he or she happens to be an OBC. In other words, the upper castes are being penalized for being upper caste.
Arjun Singh: Nobody is being penalized and that is a factor that we are trying to address. I think that the prime Minister will be talking to all the political parties and will be putting forward a formula, which will see that nobody is being penalized.
Karan Thapar: I want very much to talk about that formula, but before we come to talk about how you are going to address concerns, let me point one other corollary - Reservations also gives preference and favor to caste over merit. Is that acceptable in a modern society?
Arjun Singh: I don’t think the perceptions of modern society fit India entirely.
Karan Thapar: You mean India is not a modern society and therefore can’t claim to be treated as one?
Arjun Singh: It is emerging as a modern society, but the parameters of a modern society do not apply to large sections of the people in this country.

Now take a moment to congratulate Karan Thapar for skillfully exposing Arjun Singh for the clueless dolt he is.

These are the people who decide our fate!

This is the headline of many national news papers:

Yet another MP is convicted of murder
25 Jun 2008, , Dipak Mishra & Rajiv Kumar,TNN

BEGUSARAI/PATNA: A trial court on Tuesday convicted controversial Lok Janshakti Party MP, Surajbhan Singh, for killing a farmer over a land dispute 16 years ago.

He is the third MP from the state to be convicted. Apart from the three, a former MP and a former state minister — making it a total of five politicians — have been convicted by different Bihar courts in recent years. Shibu Soren, an MP from neighbouring Jharkhand was convicted of murder, but later acquitted.

Fast-track court judge Ravi Prakash Dhar Dubey found Surajbhan, MP from Balia, and two others — Jai Ram Singh and Radhe Singh — guilty of murdering Rami Singh of Madhurapur village in Begusarai in January 1992.

Special public prosecutor Shyameshwar Dayal said the Begusarai court will hear the prosecution and defence on Wednesday before deciding on the quantum of punishment.

Trials are on in at least five other criminal cases against Surajbhan. There was an uneasy calm inside the courtroom with the MP, in white shirt and trousers with a tilak on his forehead, standing quietly in the dock when the verdict was delivered.

Nitish govt played role in speedy trial

It was a long, eventful trial and the Patna high court had to intervene to complete it within a timeframe.

But the fast-track court's bid to expedite things received a setback when prosecution counsel Ram Naresh Sharma was murdered in November last year. Subsequently, Dayal, a Patna HC lawyer who was appointed by the state government as special public prosecutor to oversee all other cases related to the MP, took charge of this case as well.

The sitting MPs who have been convicted are: Pappu Yadav (Purnea), Mohammed Shahabuddin (Siwan), both from RJD; and Anand Mohan Singh, a former MP from Sheohar. Anand Mohan was sentenced to death for the lynching of then Gopalganj DM, G Krishnaiah. Shahabuddin has been convicted in at least three cases.

He was given life term for kidnapping CPI-ML worker Munna Choudhary with the intent of murder. Pappu got life term for the murder of CPM MLA Ajit Sarkar in 1998. Former Bihar minister in Rabri cabinet, Aditya Singh, and his son are in jail for killing two persons in Nawada.

If the law is catching up with the state's dons-turned-politicians, it has more to do with the Nitish Kumar government's move to ensure speedy trial in criminal cases. After these cases, including those against politicians, were transferred to fast-track courts some two years ago, 6,000-odd criminals have been convicted by various courts.

Starting off as a contract killer for UP mafia don Shriprakash Shukla (killed in an encounter by police) in the early 1990s, Surajbhan has of late been controlling most railway contracts and other PSUs in Begusarai and surrounding districts. Feared as a crack shooter who kills in cold-blood, Surajbhan in the mid-1990s led upper caste criminals in retaliatory violence against backward caste goons. In 2000, he was elected MLA from Mokama and his political clout helped him bag more contracts.


From YFE:
Are our leaders law abiding citizens? Nearly a quarter (23.2%) of the MPs has reported criminal cases against them. One out of two among them (over 50%) have cases that could attract penalties of imprisonment of five or more years. The states of Bihar, U.P., Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh that account for over 50% of the MPs with the high penalty criminal cases.

Though with Supreme Court order, it has become mandatory for candidates to declare the cases pending against them, it has hardly discouraged the political parties from nominating known criminals as their candidates. According to ‘Election Watch" in Bihar assembly election (2004-2005), each major political party has fielded 30% to 40% candidates with criminal background. The affidavits submitted by candidates just make some news headlines in English media. The information hardly reaches the voters. Ignorance of voters, caste and communal equations, large scale intimidation of voters and absence of middle and upper classes from voting make this declaration virtually ineffective. The problem becomes worse when all the major candidate in a constituency have criminal background. In absence of negative voting, one of them is definitely going to be elected.

Several organizations have repeatedly demanded that any person charged with any offence punishable with imprisonment for a maximum term of five years or more, should be disqualified for being chosen as or for being a member of Parliament or Legislature of a State till he/she is cleared of charges by the court. The same views have been endorsed by National Law commission, National Commission for Review of Constitution, and Election Commission of India. But when it comes to politicians to decide about it ( Read Standing Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms), the outcome Is zero. They refused this notion on the ground that the candidates may be falsely implicated in criminal cases by the ruling party.

This is atrocious! They are protecting each other by posing a threat from each other. When it comes to sharing the spoils (of the nation), the present day political class is no better than a pack of wolves!

Almost 16mn Commercial Units Owned by OBC's

The other backward classes (OBCs), who have been granted 27 percent quota in government jobs and educational institutions for being socially and economically backward, own 15.92 million entrepreneurial units, says the official Economic Census for 2005, released Thursday.

People from the Scheduled Castes (SCs), another marginalised section of society with 15 percent reservation in government jobs and colleges, own 3.69 million units, while those from Scheduled Tribes (STs) run 1.52 million units, according to the 2005 data.

The Economic Census released here by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) of the statistics and programme implementation ministry said as many as 41.82 million establishments were in operation in 2005.

Out of a total of 6.08 million establishments in the farm sector, the share of OBCs was 2.81 million or 46.24 percent, while that of SCs was 0.61 million or 10.08 percent. STs accounted for only 0.38 million or 6.32 percent.

'Over 93 percent of these units owned by OBCs, SCs, and STs were in rural areas,' said S.K. Nath, director general of CSO, which conducted the Economic Census that gives not only an insight into India's economy but also intends to meet the requirements of planners, policy makers and researchers.

The census says that 100.9 million people were employed in 41.83 million establishments in India in 2005, out of which 25.54 million units were in rural areas and 16.29 million in urban areas.

Five states accounting for about 50 percent of total employment in organised and unorganised sectors were Andhra Pradesh (11.20 million), Maharashtra (11.31 million), Tamil Nadu (10.06 million), Uttar Pradesh (8.15 million) and West Bengal (10.03 million).

The Centre Just cannot hold

The Fourth anniversary of UPA government has been celebrated and why not. The election victory in 2004 was a total surprise and even more so was the innovation that the leader of the largest single party did not become prime minister and she appointed a trusted and talented man as ‘her’ prime minister. There has been little friction between the two, and everyone knows that while he is honest and hardworking, she makes the crucial decisions. Until something goes wrong. Then he takes the blame as with the nuclear deal and with the recent inflation upsurge.
But there is more to coalition dharma than just personalities. India has drifted over the last 20 years to become a softer state than it used to be. The Centre still has constitutional primacy and often uses it to mischievous partisan ends. Thanks to the fruits of liberal economic reform of the PM when he was FM and the current FM’s work with building a prudent and efficient tax collection machinery, the Centre has money to throw around at problems it is too lazy or powerless to solve — farmers deaths’, oil price rise, reservations in apex elite institutions of higher education. The money may never get there but at least gestures are made.
But terrorism cannot be and will not be bribed away. Jaipur has shown how flimsy the anti-terrorism fight has become in India. Rather than worry about protecting the citizens or even finding the culprits, the first worry is to ‘avoid Gujarat’, say nothing which will antagonise the Muslim (why use the weasel word ‘minority’?) community. The simple fact is that no one is saying All Muslims are Terrorists. Only that today all, if not most, terrorist activity aimed against urban India as indeed against urban areas around the world is instigated by Muslims who have embraced the Islamist creed of Osama Bin Laden. Most Muslims are victims of this nasty philosophy as are the non-Muslims around the world.

It is a lazy security service which blames Pakistan or Lashkar-e-Toiba or SIMI even before a single investigation has been carried out. In the UK, painstaking surveillance has been used to stop plots to blow people up in their tracks before the plotters get a chance. Mobile telephones and emails and websites are monitored ceaselessly to get the evidence to convict potential terrorists. Meticulous care has to be taken to search the crime scene for any and all forensic clues. One cannot afford to clean the area up for a VIP visit as often happens in India where the 10 minutes kowtowing at the feet of the VIP is worth far more for a policeman’s career than saving a thousand lives.

The fact is that be it the surrender at Kandahar or the appalling and repeated incidents of terrorist activities which have occurred and will recur, nothing shames the political leadership of UPA, NDA or any other concoction. They’d much rather score points against each other than protect the public. They are safe behind their triple Z security and citizens can go hang. Even where people are caught, no one gets even presented to court much less convicted, for decades. Even in communal riots, the same sad story is told. No one can be blamed if there is a single member of any of the 200 political parties who can claim to be related to the culprit. Trials can be postponed or shifted or just botched.

There is no shortage of bodies, commissions, reports, initiatives, panels upon panels of experts and yet no safety for citizens. The Centre has become non-functional in internal security as the tragic farce over Naxalite insurgency shows. Parties sympathetic to terrorists, be they Tamil nationalists of Eelam or left wing fellow traveller terrorists, can be safely in power, if not in office, at the Centre. They have only to profess to be anti-communal; to be anti-terrorist is not required.

It is difficult to see when and how this situation will be reversed. If the political system is not willing to crack the whip and take internal security seriously, then no amount of new legislation or central agencies will matter. The system is divided in the way it perceives citizens. The idea that all Indians are citizens subject to the same laws has eroded since Independence. Each individual has value to the extent of the votebank to which she belongs. If you’re not part of a votebank, tough luck.

Whenever general elections happen, there will be no resolution of this problem. There will be no single party majority government and another fractured coalition will take office. This coalition will also boast of some philosophy — Hindutva or secularism or anti-imperialism — but it will be stuck in the same spineless attitude about threats to internal security. Maybe there is not enough money to be made for politicians fighting internal terrorists as there is in buying defence equipment or in starting SEZs or bossing over drug companies or spending infrastructure funds. It is even more fun running the cricket board and T-20 league than in caring about hunger and food supplies.

As the anarchist jibe says whoever wins the Government always gets back. Stay alive if you can.

Email:m.desai@lse.ac.uk
By Megnad Desai in DNA Newspaper, Page-11, dated 01/06/08

Candle Light Vigil on 31st May

A candle Light vigil has been organized at KEM Hospital Gate No- 1, Opposite Wadia Maternity Center, Parel on Saturday, 31st May, 2008 at
7 pm to protest against the government's inclination to circumvent the Supreme Court's order and to save the country from any future caste wars.

Please be there and extend your support to the cause.
It is the high time to come together and fight this parochial and divisive politics.

You can call on helpline number mentioned for more details.

Too Many Reservations

In Indian Express dated 27th May' 08 by Pratap Bhanu Mehta

When the Gurjjar agitation started, knowledgeable observers had widely feared that its denouement would be something resembling war. More than 50 deaths, several districts under blockade, some virtually under a state of siege, mobile services suspended, transport interrupted, leaders unable to move freely, and a deep sense of foreboding, all suggest that the worst fears about this agitation have come true. Like so many tragedies, this one was long in the making. But no one, not the state government, not the opposition, not society at large, was willing to face up to the fact that Rajasthan was digging itself deeper and deeper into a hole. And positions are now so entrenched that a just and honourable resolution of the underlying issues seems all but impossible.

The state government’s attitude to this agitation, ever since it started, has been a mixture of condescension and brutality. When the agitation first started, it did not take it seriously. When violence broke out, it bought time for itself by creating a facade of a procedure whose outcome everyone knew would not resolve the issue. Simply put, the state government was not going to recommend ST status for Gurjjars. But it did not use this window of opportunity to politically engage the Gurjjars. Rather, it thought, with condescension typical of this government, that it could buy out Gurjjars by giving them a ministerial berth or two. It says something about the state of the country that when the Gurjjars peacefully courted arrest in the thousands last year, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Peace was associated with declining momentum for the movement, and we all went to sleep. The only lesson the Gurjjars learnt as a result was that violence is necessary to get attention.

The state, for the most part was stuck. Having reduced classifications for affirmative action to a power play, buttressed by a facade of a procedure, it could not move in any direction. If it gave Gurjjars what they wanted, it risked a backlash from powerful communities like the Meenas. On the other hand, it could not acknowledge that the net result of the state’s caving in to Jat assertion of power and granting them OBC status, was to send a signal to communities like the Gurjjars that the whole system was unfair. And even now the government (and the Congress) are stuck: damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Within the current paradigm of classifications, the Gurjjar concerns had some justification. But the political terrain has already shifted from reasoned argument to violence.

But it would be a mistake to think that this agitation is about legal classification. The social equilibrium of Rajasthan has been under considerable stress for a number of years. Three underlying trends are particularly worrying. First, many of those killed were in the age group of 16 to 25. Access to bad-quality education has created an odd social disequilibrium: youths too educated to be satisfied with their traditional status, too untrained to participate in the new economy. Government jobs matter to them precisely for this reason. That is why they feel so much is still at stake in changing their legal classification to ST. All across North India, this disquieting possibility exists. Sub-groups within the broad classifications like OBC and SC feel that benefits under those classifications are going only to a few sub-castes. This issue is going to come to the political forefront in the coming years. When these groups get minimally educated and feel cheated that their education has not equipped them for much, a social catastrophe will be in the making. It is no accident that this agitation comes at the end of the decimation of quality higher education in Rajasthan, abetted by all parties.

Second, a slow and incipient culture of violence has been spreading through Rajasthan’s villages. Arms have become more ubiquitous, paradoxically because the few who have benefited from the increasing land values need guns to protect their new riches. But in several districts like Sawai Madhopur the state has been suffering attrition at the local level. It was perhaps symbolic that one of the first people to console the victims was a prominent local “anti-social element” to use the government’s bizarre euphemism. There are several districts in Rajasthan where the potential of recurring violence is increasing by the day: an odd combination of social discontent which can easily be hijacked by elements that are looking for a pretext to be violent.

Finally, there is an utter breakdown of the political process. Communities like the Gurjjars do not have a leadership that can take a long-term view. They feel for their community, but have no long-term vision for expanding opportunity for them. One indication of this is their harping on one theme, that the state government send a letter to the Centre recommending ST status for Gurjjars. This is not likely to end the legal issue, nor is it likely to seriously impact the spectre of alienation that hovers over the youth of the community.

The chief minister’s instinctive response to political problems is to respond with excessive force, as if the expression of any social discontent is simply a form of impunity. It is the state’s responsibility to quell violence. But it cannot do this if it does not back its might up with an intelligent political process. But the tragedy of Rajasthan is that there are very few social mediators left. It is not an accident that the chief minister has found it very difficult to reach out. The Gurjjars, on the other hand, are wary of letting Bainsala negotiate alone in Jaipur. Their last experience of negotiating was, many in the community feel, an exercise in bad faith. It is absolutely amazing that police firings are so rapidly on the rise. Even after so much experience dealing with crowds, the state has not found ways to manage them without large number of casualties. The Congress is, as always, timid at best, trapped in vague gestures of protest. In short, there is no political force that is capable of changing the paradigm within which questions of social inclusion are posed.

It would be comfortable to dismiss all of this as Rajasthan’s exceptionalism. But the truth is that our politics is driving us into an explosive cul de sac. The recent, terrible violence is a reminder of what happens to societies when they can neither endure their current social condition, nor the means to overcome it. It will take extraordinary political imagination to overcome this condition.

The writer is president,Centre for Policy Research, Delhi pratapbmehta@gmail.com

5th Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike

Youth For Equality activists from different medical colleges in Delhi have boycotted their classes and set on Indefinite Hunger Strike opposing OBC reservation in Higher Educational Institutions. More than 100 Students from Maulana Azad Medical College(MAMC), University College of Medical Sciences(UCMS), Lady Harding Medical College(LHMC) are on Indefinite Hunger Strike. Hunger Strike started on 22nd May morning at Maulana Azad Medical College(MAMC) premises.

Despite the repeated request from Principal Secretary Health who has visited the Hunger Strikers, the activists are firm on their decision to continue the strike. We do not oppose any caste or community but why the present generation will suffer the caste based discrimination.

IMA representatives visited MAMC today to raise the moral of the students and offered all possible cooperation. DMA followed the IMA to show solidarity. The interns of UCMS and MAMC joined the strike.

During April 2006 just after the declaration of reservation for OBCs in higher education by the Govt YFE protested vehemently against Caste based reservation and the whole nation has witnessed the protest. Then the matter went to Supreme Court and honorable Court has given its verdict.

After 2 years of protest the present situation is not at all different than whatever it was before. Now reservation is being given on the caste basis as it was before and we oppose it.

We will continue our strike till we achieve the goal of an INDIA FREE FROM CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION.

YFE Activists at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) also joined the protest. Yesterday evening there was a candle march at Banaras City to show the solidarity with the Hunger strikers in Delhi.

We will spread this strike across the nation to defeat every attempts made by Govt to Divide the society on caste line.

We demand

* Rollback of reservations based on caste.
* Implementation of Right to Education Act which guarantees free, compulsory and quality education, a fundamental right of every child.
* Clarification, by the SUPREME COURT collegium, regarding the recent observation made by the honorable Chief Justice, regarding Creamy Layer -class concept/individual concept

We appeal all the law abiding citizens of this nation to come forward to save this nation from further division on caste line.

Hunger Strike in Delhi

May 22
Scores of anti-quota protestors have begun an indefinite hunger strike in the national capital accusing the government of circumventing the Supreme Court order on OBC quota.
Around 100 activists, under the aegis of ''Youth for Equality'', started their hunger strike at the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi at 12:00 pm.
Protestors were alleging that the government was trying to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling by extending quota benefit to post graduate courses.
''We want the government to implement the quota order in its true spirit,'' an activist said.
The Supreme Court had on April 10 upheld the controversial law providing 27 per cent quota for OBCs in IITs, IIMs and other central educational institutions but excluded the ''creamy layer'' from its ambit.
From NDTV.com

Supreme Court Vacates the Stay

The Supreme Court on Friday vacated the Calcutta high court order staying implementation of 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in post graduate courses including in the Indian Institutes of Management.
"We cannot allow Calcutta high court order to operate," a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said. "Can Calcutta high court sit over the order of the Supreme Court," the bench asked while vacating the stay.
The bench said that when the apex court had upheld the validity of the act providing the other backward class quota, where was the question of high court staying its implementation. However, the court said, subject to the final outcome of the matter before it, all admissions will be provisional in post graduate courses in central educational institutions under the act.
The court stayed all proceedings relating to the OBC quota that are pending in the high Courts of Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay. It also issued notice to those petitioners who were opposing the implementation of government memorandum in different high courts on the Centre's petition seeking transfer of those matters to the apex court.
From:www.rediff.com

OBC Quota Stayed by Calcutta High Court

In a jolt to the Centre, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday stayed quota for Other Backward Classes in post- graduate courses in the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and stopped the interview of OBC candidates for the same.
Justice Maharaj Sinha, in an ex-parte interim order, granted the stay on a petition by Sayan Guha, a B-Tech student challenging the Human Resource Ministry's memorandum and also the IIM-C interview scheduled for Thursday.
The interim order stayed the operation of the reservation clause of IIM prospectus and also the resolution of office memorandum dated April 20, 2008, passed by the HRD Ministry. The matter would come up for hearing again on June 9.
The IIM-C had scheduled the special interview of OBC students following the HRD memorandum. Guha's counsels Kishore Dutta and Nilava Bandopadhyay told the court that the office memo and the subsequent reservation clause were in violation of the April 10 Supreme Court order on reservation of OBCs, that had set a yardstick for such quotas and defined the creamy layer that would be out of the purview of reservation.
They said while the apex court had directed that graduates would not be considered for reservation, the HRD ministry had, in violation of that, passed an office memo to the effect that OBC students would get reservation in post-graduate courses. No counsel appeared for the HRD Ministry and the IIM-C.

Latest Update on Court Hearing

Today Mumbai High Court issued notice to the Government on the matterof implementation of OBC quota. The next hearing is scheduled on 23rdof June. The HRD Ministry sent its attorney for the hearing. The IIT-Band TISS lawyers were taken the view of Delhi High Court and soughttime to file answer. This is natural procedure as the court is goingto hear both sides before pronouncing any order.
Calcutta High Court is supposed to take the matter today as the HighCourt is approaching its summer break. Yesterday only our lawyersargued in front of the Division Bench to take the matter for earlyhearing. Justice Maharaj Singh had agreed to take the matter for anearly hearing.
On date 13th May 2008 the National Commission for Backward Classes wasbusy hearing the plea from the Jat Community of Delhi that they arethe real backward caste and deserve reservation. There was virtuallyno opposition except that of Youth For Equality's representation alongwith Ati Pichhda Varg Sangharsh Samiti. The house was full of Jats ofall age. YFE representatives Amit and Vikram had to struggle to enterand submit the representation infront of the Commission. Surprisinglythe Jats were degrading themselves infront of the commission andinfront of their own community. Only one opposition came along withYFE and the person was abused by the members of Jat community. Theperson had to say "look at them Mr. Chairman (Justice Ratnavale) howthey are behaving. If they can abuse me infront of the Commissionimagine what they can do at the village level. Do they look backwardfrom any angle". How disgusting a situation it was to see and hearthat powerful communities, one after another, taking pride indegrading their own self to get the benefit of reservation. VikramSingh, who was standing beside the podium, had allowed others to hearthe public hearing through his mobile phone. When the writer of thismail arrived at the Commission Amit and Vikram were flexing muscleswith the Jats present their to make their point. Finally we had torush to the personal chamber of the Member, NCBC to present our view.

Update on the Court Hearings

Now the Government is on its toe! The Honorable High Court of Delhi issued notice to the Centre asking to answer questions taken by the petitioner. The Court has given four weeks time to the centre to file its answer. After that the court will decide on the fate of the order. In between we are going to file another set of petition at the Delhi High Court covering other issues. Senior Advocate Harish Salve appeared for our petition and tasked the government to answer the questions posed by the petitioner.In Mumbai the scene was quite different. The defence lawyer was caught unaware and admitted to deferred the result of Tata Institute of Social Science for fifteen days to facilitate the Court to give its verdict. The TISS lawyers have asked for a copy of the judgment to read and come with an answer. Day after again the hearing will be resumed at the Mumbai High Court. The High Court also ordered the petitioner (Youth For Equality/Doctors For You) to sent one copy of the petition to the HRD Ministry with immediate effect. Ad. Anil Joshi appearing for YFE prevailed at the High Court. Our Mumbai YFEians have already dispatched a copy of the petition without losing time. Tomorrow the Calcutta High Court will take the case. Our friends there working overtime to appear at the Court. Also tomorrow another important presentation to be made infront of the National Backward Classes Commission. Amit Srivastav and Vikram Singh will be appearing before the public hearing in front of Justice Ratnavale at the NCBC to oppose the inclusion of Jat in Delhi in Central List as backward caste. The hearing will be resume at 11AM. Vikram and Amit are representatives of Delhi based ATI-PICHHADA VARG SANGHARSH SAMITI. They will present the view on the said samiti's behalf.
YFE is also going to make a presentation along with Citizen For Equality.

Photos of PROTEST in New Delhi on 6th May

Dr Anbumani Ramadoss must RESIGN Now

Youth For Equality welcomes the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order of 8th May 2008, which struck down the AIIMS Amendment Act 2007 and consequently reinstated Dr. P. Venugopal as Director of AIIMS. This order from the apex court proved that the argument of eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman infront of the Supreme Court. Mr. Nariman argued before the Supreme Court terming the act as an “Extremely hostile and discriminatory law singularly made to publicly humiliate an eminent doctor”.

Youth For Equality demands the resignation of Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who has taken corrupt, illegal and fraud route to remove Dr. P. Venugopal from the post of AIIMS’ Director. This is also a reminder to the Manmohan Singh Government not to temper law in the name of majoritarian rule. Even imposition of emergency was also a majority decision by the Parliament, which was wrong. The point of Youth For Equality is “Parliament is not infallible”.

AIIMS is the apex health care centre of India. All efforts should be made to improve the health of the country through this institution. Politics must not swamp the faith, reputation and high respect through the high degree of patient care AIIMS earned over the years.

Youth for Equality hits back. Protest in New Delhi

6th May 2008, 6.15p.m.
In protest of Govt's move to implement reservation in PG level courses Youth For Equality formed a human chain of students from institutions across Delhi like Delhi University, JNU,GGSIPU, MAMC, UCMS, DCE and AIIMS. Around 500 students formed human chain with Banners and posters at inner circle of Connought Place (central Park). Then students marched towards janpath with the effigy of Mr Arjun Singh (HRD Minister) and blocked the traffic for more than half an hour at Janpath and burnt the effigy of Arjun Singh. The march was aimed towards the residence of Ms Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA, however they were prevented to move forward at Janpath. Police used water cannon to disperse the mass but the students who are deeply hurt by the manipulation of Supreme Courts order in Implementing OBC Quota, they resisted.

Around 350 students were arrested from Janpath and are detained at Parliament Street Police station. Students are not released till now(At this time).
Our demands are:

ü No extension of reservation beyond graduation as per the Court's order.
ü No manipulation in Creamy layer limit.
ü Fresh list of beneficiaries has to be furnished by Govt before implementing reservation.
ü Before implementing reservation Infrastructure must be made available in order to retain the quality of education.
ü Time bound reservation.

We are gearing up this protest; if Govt goes ahead with such autocratic attitude in implementing reservation then we will go for nation wide agitation.

With Best regards

Arjun Singh and MHRD Exposed

The government is trying its best to implement the 27% OBC reservation from this academic year but is not keeping the promise of not reducing the seats of the general category. The government is also trying to misread the judgement of the Supreme Court.

A RTI filed to the Ministry of HRD by Youth for Equality to know the status of the implementation of the recommendations by Moily Oversight Committee, unraveled some shocking facts implying that Mr. Arjun Singh seems to be taking the nation for a ride. The images are available for view below.

What action is being taken to ensure that the seats for general category will not be affected because of the reservations?

You say you will increase the seats and the infrastructure, but can you do it without the appointment of teachers. That is great, Mr Arjun Singh!

The government is in the election year and is just finding ways to implement the quotas without doing any homework. It seems they are just not bothered about the education in the country.

What a new low is this in the politics of India?

Its high time for all of us to stand and get ourselves counted.

“When evil forces unite, it is time for the good to join hands and become a force.”

If you are willing to join YFE and support this cause please contact them on yfemumbai@gmail.com

Volunteers Required in Mumbai and Kolkata urgently

The YFE has filed few PILs all over the country. The PIL is about the governmnet circumventing the judgement of the Supreme Court and its inclination to implement reservations in PG courses. We are looking for few petitioners who can help us in filing the petition all over the country. If you are willing to become one of the petitioner then mail us at the following email address or call Dr Gunjan Sharma on 9224460881
drravikantkem@yahoo.co.in
aditya_mithe@rediffmail.com
rs.rishabh@gmail.com
yfemumbai@gmail.com
This is the time to stand for the cause and get yourself counted. The government is trying to fool everyone. We need to challenge them. This is your time. Please come forward and support the movement.
Remember actions are always of greater value than giving mere reactions!

Minister wants RESERVATIONS in Judiciary

CHENNAI: Minister of State Parliamentary Affairs and Planning V. Narayanasamy said Thursday that social justice would be complete if only reservation was extended to the judiciary.
At a meeting organised by the All-India Federation of Other Backward Classes Employees Welfare Association to felicitate him, he said the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, providing the OBCs with 27 per cent reservation should be included in the IX Schedule of the Constitution to insulate it from judicial interference.
Mr. Narayanasamy also demanded that a Parliament Standing Committee be set up for the OBCs. “We have submitted a memorandum, on behalf of the OBC MPs Forum, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and he told us that he fully agreed with us,” he said.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Industries V. Hanumantha Rao said reservation in the judiciary was necessary to ensure that the people got right judgments.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasamy wanted the creamy layer to go, “as it is a stumbling block for the talented OBC students.”

Protest against all odds

More than 300 activists of Youth For Equality gathered at the Supreme Court and staged a peaceful dharana at the Supreme Court lpremises and demanded the Goverment to implement the recent Court judgment in letter and spirit.Our demands were:

No reservation beyond graduation level. Supreme Court is categorical to refuse OBC reservation at the Post-Graduation level.

Identify reviewed castes for the purpose of OBC reservation. Supreme Court ordered the government to come with a new list not the decade old list of OBCs

Without the proper increase of infrastructure no reservation. Till date there is not a single rupee spent on infrastructure increase as per the RTI answer from the HRD

Supreme Court is unanimous to review the reservation policy. A Judicial Commission for the review of the OBC reservation

Maintain proper cut-off mark for the selection of OBC candidate as per the Supreme Court ruling.

Later on the YFE activists were brutally handled by the police. Several members suffered serious injuries and some of them required hospitalization. Susequently, large number of YFE members were arrested and taken away to Tilak Nagar Police Station.

See the video

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/aiims-docs-barge-into-sc-to-protest-against-quota/63951-3.html

http://www.youtube.com/v/NDHcTUEYhCk

Charter of Demands

“How far that little candle throws his beam! So shines a good deed in a weary world” so said William Shakespeare. What Youth For Equality has aspired was good deed in a weary world! The OBC Reservation in the present context is nothing sort of organized loot by the most powerful community of the society. The Supreme Court Judgment regarding the OBC reservation tried to put a permanent break – gradually! As the five judge constitution bench was not unanimous in their opinion, majority judgment is what going to be counted. In his judgment Justice Raveendran said “To start with, the effect of reservation may appear to perpetuate caste. The immediate effect of caste based reservation has been rather unfortunate. In the pre-reservation era people wanted to get rid of the backward tag -- either social or economical. But post reservation, there is a tendency even among those who are considered as 'forward', to seek 'backward' tag, in the hope of enjoying the benefits of reservations. When more and more people aspire for 'backwardness' instead of 'forwardness' the country itself stagnates. Be that as it may. Reservation as an affirmative action is required only for a limited period to bring forward the socially and educationally backward classes by giving them a gentle supportive push. But if there is no review after a reasonable period and if reservation is continued, the country will become a caste divided society permanently. Instead of developing an united society with diversity, we will end up as a fractured society for ever suspicious of each other. While affirmative discrimination is a road to equality, care should be taken that the road does not become a rut in which the vehicle of progress gets entrenched and stuck. Any provision for reservation is a temporary crutch. Such crutch by unnecessary prolonged use, should not become a permanent liability.” There are certain very promising points in the judgment pronounced by majority of judges.

1. Exclusion of Creamy layer.

Justice Bhandari said “For a valid method of creamy layer exclusion, the Government may use its post-Sawhney I criteria as a template. I further urge the Government to exclude the children of former and present Members of the Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies and the said O.M. be amended accordingly.” Justice Pasayat and Justice Thackker said “Inclusion of castes in the list of backward classes cannot be mechanical and cannot be done without adequate relevant data. Nor can it be done for extraneous reasons. Likewise, periodic examination of a backward class could lead to its exclusion if it ceases to be socially backward or if it is adequately represented in the services. Once backward, always backward is not acceptable. In any case, the "creamy layer" has no place in the reservation system.”

2. A person is not educationally backward if he becomes a graduate. This means there should not be any reservation for OBCs in Post graduation.

Justice Bhandari said “once a candidate graduates from a university, the said candidate is educationally forward and is ineligible for special benefits under Article 15(5) of the Constitution for post graduate and any further studies thereafter.” Justice Pasayat and Justice Thackker said “While determining backwardness, graduation (not technical graduation) or professional shall be the standard test yardstick for measuring backwardness.”

3. Merit has been recognized by the Supreme Court in no uncertain terms.

Justice Pasayat and Justice Thackker said “the Central Government shall examine as to the desirability of fixing a cut off marks in respect of the candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). By way of illustration it can be indicated that five marks grace can be extended to such candidates below the minimum eligibility marks fixed for general categories of students. This would ensure quality and merit would not suffer”. Both the Judges further said “The philosophy and pragmatism of universal excellence through equality of opportunity for education and advancement across the nation is part of the constitutional creed. It is, therefore, the best and most meritorious students that must be selected for admission to technical institutions and medical colleges and no citizen an be regarded as outsider in the constitutional set-up without serious detriment to the `unity and integrity' of the nation. The Supreme Court has laid down that so far as admissions to post graduate course such as MS, MD and the like are concerned, it would be imminently desirable not to provide for any reservation based on residence or institutional preference. The need of a region or institution cannot prevail at the

highest scale of specialty where the best skill or talent must be hand-picked by selecting them according to capability. At the level of Ph.D., M.D. or levels of higher proficiency where international measure of talent is made, where losing one great scientist or technologist in the making is a national loss, the considerations we have expanded upon as important, lose their potency.”

Justice Bhandari said “In the case of higher education, the universities that admit the best will likely churn out the best. The point is that universities alone cannot produce qualified job candidates. Forced to admit students with lower marks, the university's final product will not be as strong. I urge the Government to set OBC cut off marks no lower than 10 marks below that of the general category.”

4. Unfilled OBC seats in absence of qualified OBC candidates will go to general category candidates.

Justice Bhandari said “The Government need not always provide the maximum limit. Reasonable cut off marks should be set so that standards of excellence greatly effect. The unfilled seats should revert to the general category.” Justice Pasayat said “If any seats remain vacant after adopting such norms they shall be filled up by candidates from general categories.”

5. Unaided institutions are out of quota purview.

While answering the question ‘does the 93rd Amendment violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution by imposing reservation on unaided institutions?’ Justice Bhandari categorically said “Yes, it does. Imposing reservation on unaided institutions violates the Basic Structure by stripping citizens of their fundamental right under Article 19(1)(g) to carry on an occupation.”

6. Importance of Primary Education in place of quota has been established.

Justice Bhandari in his judgment said “The Parliament should fix a deadline by which time free and compulsory education will have reached every child. This must be done within six months, as the right to free and compulsory education is perhaps the most important of all the fundamental rights. For without education, it becomes extremely difficult to exercise other fundamental rights.”

The Government is of the habit of misreading the judgment and sabotaging justice. Youth For Equality is planning to file a series of petition in case the government try any kind of dilly dallying with the just implementation of the landmark judgment.

Excerpts of Article in Indian Express from Meghnad Desai

Indian democratic politics has, however, used the Mandal labels in a very different way. It has encouraged more and more groups to get into a race of being More OBC than Thou. No political party has any incentive in arguing that jati status is not a foolproof indicator of social and economic backwardness. There are, as Mayawati has discovered, poor Brahmins and rich OBCs. This is because economic development over the last hundred years has allowed opportunities for some individuals in ritually backward jatis and indeed for some jatis themselves to move up the social and economic ladder.

Mandal and democratic compulsions invite us to abandon this path. No matter how prosperous a backward jati will become, it will keep the label and it will be in the interest of every jati to hang on to the backward label since it is a passport to public favours. The recent agitation by Gujjars has shown that the stakes for being labelled as backward are very high, and in a democratic culture there will be competitive populism to accord such status to whoever promises the vote bank to a party.

But the die is now cast. Parliament legislated reservations and now the Supreme Court has validated the legislation. There are caveats about the creamy layer but I predict that Lok Sabha will not be in a hurry to implement the Supreme Court’s injunctions about extending the definition of creamy layer to themselves and ex-MPs. I wish that were a precondition before reservations could be implemented.

My hope is that the decision will achieve the good it wishes to. My expectation is that it will not. This is because the real problem of social deprivation for the SCs, STs, OBCs is in primary schools and secondary schools where the foundations of failure are laid and no political party, whatever its rhetoric, is grasping that nettle. Every one is for reserving seats at the top of the pyramid and joining the creamy layer of IITs and IIMs. But between the top layer of rich upper castes and the creamy layers of the beneficiaries of reservations, there is a large slice of India. They cannot escape Indian higher education by going abroad as the rich can, nor can they get into the top institutions by merit. As of now no political party wishes to champion them but they constitute a fertile ground of the disaffected whose bitterness will be harvested by some party sooner or later.

From Indian Express: http://www.indianexpress.com/printerFriendly/297276.html

Three and Half Cheers!

The Supreme Court deserves a full three and a half cheers for its judgment that effectively blocks reservations for the OBC "creamy layer". The first cheer is for bringing in the issue of class when any policy is recommended for the OBCs. If one goes back to the Constitution, this is exactly what the doctors had ordered on this matter.

The second cheer is for retaining the authority to judicially review any government definition of who constitutes the "creamy layer". The third cheer is because the court clearly spelt out that when seeking admission to colleges and universities the difference in marks between OBCs and the rest should be no more than 10%. The remaining half cheer is for insisting that OBC reservations be reviewed every five years. This last decree cannot be dodged as easily as political statements of intentions can. After all, this is a Supreme Court decision.

Still waters may run deep, but still milk sits at the top. If there is a creamy layer among OBCs it only shows that the fortunes of those at the bottom have not been stirred for a very long time. It is not as if one can easily ask the question: If you are so rich how come you are not an OBC? It is often difficult to separate the majority of OBCs from the scheduled castes because their lives have so much in common. This is why poverty strikes before death as the great leveller.

The OBC elite has so far not cared to stir ambitions at the bottom. They instinctively know that should this ever happen it would dilute their political and economic pre-eminence within their communities. OBC elites have run governments in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for several terms but the conditions of poor "backwards", let alone those of the scheduled castes, have generally remained unchanged. What progress has occurred among these people is not because of state effort, but in spite of it.

In large tracts where OBCs have ruled for decades one only sees remnants of roads once built. Government schools are dysfunctional in every conceivable way. But when drop-out rates get alarmingly high, teachers in these institutions fill in student attendance sheets so that their salary scales are not disturbed. In Aurai district in Bihar, we actually saw a school where the headmaster was basking in the winter sun with not a student in sight.

The OBC creamy layer has done little over these years to improve basic livelihood conditions of the poor on whose shoulders their political fortunes ride. Though OBC leaders ran Bihar and UP governments for several terms these states are still underdeveloped.

The OBC elite has, however, consistently kept up the pressure for seats in IITs, IIMs and in high-end private sector jobs. Things have come to such a pass that well-to-do OBCs now openly advocate that their elite status be further secured by government patronage. It matters little to them that the majority continues to sulk at the bottom.

Tamil Nadu is often used as a legitimising model by OBC activists. What we need to keep in mind is that as far back as the 1930s Travancore state had a literacy rate that Bihar struggles to attain even today. The Tamil Nadu model becomes more farcical when we notice that the line that separates OBC students from non-OBC ones is neither firm nor deep.

For instance, as Shiv Chaudhary has shown, in Tamil Nadu’s 2005 MBBS entrance tests, the difference in the cut-off marks between the general and the reserved categories was as low as 0.08 per cent. Naturally, with such a negligible percentage variation, the OBCs crowd the general category over and above occupying those seats that are reserved for them. Consequently, the rest of the non-OBC population is seriously unrepresented in these colleges.

This graphically demonstrates that Tamil Nadu OBCs have always had an entrenched elite stratum. OBC leaders among Gounders, Vanniyars, Thevars and Marawas were, and continue to be, powerful on every social axis. Therefore, when their educational profile is as good as, if not better than, the general category, it obviously means that they never did, and do not now, deserve reservations. True, these so-called backwards are not Brahmins, but if they can kick the priests in the teeth what good is it to have a mouthful of Sanskrit?

The Tamil Nadu backwards played on the textbook image of the rapacious Brahmin though in every province, with the slight exception of Thanjavur, the once-priestly class enjoys no dominance. Power was always in the hands of OBC elite who did well in the past and continue to do well even today. If one is to believe human development figures then the status of Tamil Nadu Dalits has remained unchanged over all these years of OBC rule. Is this why Tamil Nadu has so far failed to produce a Mayawati as its chief minister?

True to form, Mayawati has again stolen a march over her competitors. Reading between the lines of the judgment she has staked a claim that reservations also be based on poverty levels. She knows full well that this would naturally include her traditional supporters, for both the scheduled castes and the OBCs are almost always wretchedly poor. In fact, during the time it takes the OBC elites to rub the stars from their eyes she might add a few more to her electoral kitty.

Dipankar Gupta(In TOI Dated:15/04/08)
(The writer is professor of sociology at JNU.)

Reservations should not perpetuate Casteism.

The Supreme Court, while holding that the `creamy layer' among the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes be kept out of the purview of reservation, which shall not exceed 50 per cent, has cautioned the Government that excess quota will result in "reverse discrimination."

"Equality of opportunity has two different and distinct concepts. There is a conceptual distinction between a non-discrimination principle and affirmative action under which the state is obliged to provide a level playing-field to the oppressed classes," said a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal.

"It is the equality in fact which has to be decided looking at the ground reality. Balancing comes in where the question concerns the extent of reservation. If the extent of reservation goes beyond the cut-off point then it results in reverse discrimination. Anti-discrimination legislation has a tendency of pushing towards de facto reservation. Therefore, a numerical benchmark is the surest immunity against charges of discrimination."

The Bench said, "Reservation is necessary for transcending caste and not for perpetuating it. Reservation has to be used in a limited sense, otherwise it will perpetuate casteism in the country."

Dealing with the extent of reservation, the Bench, quoting the Indra Sawhney judgment (Mandal case), said the 50 per cent rule should be applied, otherwise the open competition channel would get choked for some years and meanwhile general category candidates might become age barred and ineligible.

Constitutional requirements

"We reiterate that the ceiling limit of 50 per cent reservation, the concept of creamy layer and the compelling reasons, namely, backwardness, inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency are all constitutional requirements without which the structure of equality of opportunity under Article 16 would collapse."

The judges said: "The equality of opportunity under Article 16 (1) is for each individual citizen, while the special provision under Article 16 (4) is for socially disadvantaged classes. Both should be balanced and neither should be allowed to eclipse the other."

Human dignity

The Bench said: "The state is free to exercise its discretion of providing for reservation subject to limitations, namely, that there must exist compelling reasons of backwardness [and] inadequacy of representation in a class of post(s), keeping in mind the overall administrative efficiency. It is the duty of the state to not only protect human dignity but also facilitate it by taking positive steps in that direction."

It said: "If the extent of reservation is excessive then it makes inroads into the principle of equality under Article 16 (1). Backwardness and inadequacy of representation are compelling reasons for the State governments to provide representation in public employment. Therefore, if in a given case the court finds excessive reservation under the State enactment, such an enactment is liable to be struck down since it would amount to derogation of the constitutional requirements."

Vesting of the power by an enabling provision (to provide for quotas) might be constitutionally valid.

"Yet the exercise of the power by the State in a given case may be arbitrary, particularly, if the State fails to identify and measure backwardness and inadequacy keeping in mind the efficiency of service as they are intimately connected."

Latest News on OBC Quota Judgement

Now the full Judgment of the Supreme Court is with us including that of Justice Raveendran: it does not say anything new.Now three things are final:

1 Creamy layer is out.

2. Educational forwardness is defined and no quota beyond graduation.

3 No reservation in unaided institutions.

Other points :

The Govt will have to declare the identification criteria for SEBCs, which will be open to Court scrutiny.

Why the court did not struck down the amendment or act?

It would have created another set of political onslaught on the judiciary and could have lead to another amendment or another act with foolproof measures!

What we have got out of this judgment?

The judgment is for eternity! We can refer to this judgment for various purposes. Apart from what is above - Justice Pasayat/Thackker and Justice Bhandari categorically said if there is more than 50% matriculate or +2 available in a particular caste that caste must be removed from the list of backward category.

Justice Pasayat in his para 122 said: AIIMS is a centre of excellence so must be exempted from Quota!

What we are doing now?

Apart from meeting the senior lawyers to decide the future of the case we are keeping an eye on the political development. We have sounded our IIM friends at IIM - Ahemadabad and IIM-Bangalore to remain alert to any malafide intension of the HRD Ministry. The IIM has not yet got any official communication to implement quota! If and once they got it we are expecting a Fax copy of the same to produce it at the Court!

We are specific to take the matter to court if there is any sabotage of the court order and no one may remain ambivalent on that. The Government is harboring a habit of saying all court order as Obiter Dicta (advice)! They have said so during the 9th schedule judgment and during the Stay order of this reservation also. Justice Pasayat told in no uncertain terms in the past that "In 1989 I became a judge of Delhi High Court. Since then I stopped giving advice. I only give order!" We must remain patient and contribute whatever way possible.

Today only a cabinet meeting is scheduled! Our friends from IP University are in touch with the national and international media to track place and development of the proposed meeting!

Much is needed to be done! All are requested to remain vigilant and prepare to take responsibility.

The supporters of the quota are ruthless and going to the nasty extent! We have to remain offensive as defense is more difficult than offence.

New Contact Details

Please note the following change in the contacts of Youth for Equality, Mumbai.
Email: yfemumbai@gmail.com

Helpline:
9224460881
9324334359
9892757958

Feel free to contact if you have any queries or suggestions.

A day after, SC questions effectiveness of quotas

Even though the Supreme Court allowed 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs in Central educational institutions, it has raised questions on the effectiveness of such a policy for bringing equality in the society.

"There is no deletion from the list of other backward classes. It goes on increasing, is it that backwardness has increased instead of decreasing? If the answer is yes, as contended by the respondents (Centre and other pro-quota parties), then one is bound to raise eyebrows as to the effectiveness of providing reservations or quotas," Justices Arijit Pasayat and C K Thakker said.

"The inequalities are to be removed. Yet the fact that there has been no exclusion raises a doubt about the real concern to remove inequality," he said while pointing out that since the concept of OBC came into picture there has been no deletion of any caste from the category.

The SC asked the Centre to deliberate whether the reservation policy followed since Independence had been effective in achieving the desired result.

"If after nearly six decades the objectives have not been achieved, necessarily the need for its continuance warrants deliberations," the SC said.

"It is to be noted that some of the provisions were intended to be replaced after a decade but have continued. It directly shows that backwardness appears to have purportedly increased and not diminished," the judges said adding that the affirmative action had got somewhat complicated in India on account of caste politics.

From: www.indianexpress.com
Date:11/04/08

Celebrate and Prepare yourself for Battle ahead!

Dear Supporter,

First of all YFE must celebrate the judgment with champagne!

What has happened during the last 14 hours!

Judgment came at 10.30! Utter confusion prevailed among YFEians! Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal summoned to his Supreme Court cubicle! Spoken for 30 minutes and looked very encouraged! Volunteer to fight the case for the nitty gritty!
Harish Shalve was happy and deciphered no quota at P.G. Level.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar called and committed to support YFEians.
Prof. R. Srivinas from Mumbai called and expressed full support in any form.

A group of lawyers volunteered to study and come with a series of question and review petition to be filed soon!

Dr. Shiv Choudhary, now in US, spoiled his sleep and gone through the verdict 370 pages and sent his feedback and directives!

Prof. Indiresan and Dr. Binod Khaitan reached to the media with the most calculated version of YFE response!

More is happening and the YFEians working overtime!

The countdown has begun! YFE has got more than what it demanded! Educational Forwardness has been defined by the Supreme Court and the redefinition of quota politics is in vogue. A Graduate is no more backward - the out come of the verdict - Majority judgment - no quota in Post Graduation education!

There are other thing in this judgment. Justice Ravindran's judgment has not yet been uploaded! Tomorrow the collective conclusion and Ravindran's judgment will be collected from the SC and to be scanned and send to all!

What is the response -

YFE welcomes this decision!
For the first time educational forwardness has been taken into consideration and it is an idea of YFE!
The sound bite quota for Creamy Layer by the political class fall flat! YFE welcomes this!
Merit has been accepted as the most paramount factor in education! The difference between general and quota candidate must not exceed 5%!
Identification will be more stringent and specific!
No quota in private unaided educational institution and this is final!

What YFE will and must do in future!

Tell the civil society - they want excellence - better doctors, engineer, teachers or intellectual pigmy!
When politics decide your future, decide what your politics must be!
Fighting election is no more an option but must be an unavoidable reality!
There is strong undercurrent of unrest all over the country! YFE must capture this dissatisfication!
At the legal front there must be a series of petition on each and every irrational issues and who knows such kind of gifted judgment we may get!


http://www.judis.nic.in/supremecourt/CaseRes1.aspx

All are requested to work for YFE in some form or in other! Contribute in any possible form and volunteer to work for the upcoming petition, election, social work, research and maintaining the high morals!

The time has come to raise our heads over the stormy water!

YFE never started to get satisfied with a verdict favorable or otherwise! The destiny of the nation must be changed by us only! If the time has not yet come - LET US PREPONE IT!

Youth For Equality
Celebrate and prepare yourself as a tough battle lies ahead.

Landmark Judgememnt Today; YFE Vindicated

In the landmark judgement today YFE has been vindicated by the Honourable Supreme Court.

In the judgement pronounced by the Apex court following were the main points:-

Supreme Court upholds 27 per cent Other Backward Caste (OBC) quota in educational institutions
No to creamy layer in 27 per cent OBC quota
Reservations in educational institutions now 49.5 per cent
No decision on OBC quota in private colleges
No harm in implementing OBC quota this year
Review of OBC quota list every five years
Children of former, current MPs and MLAs to be excluded from quota
No OBC quota in IIMs, AIIMS.

Highlights of Quota Verdict

As soon as we get more details that will be posted on this site.

# Supreme Court upholds 27% OBC quota in educational institutions

# Supreme Court says no to creamy layer in 27% OBC quota

# Reservations in educational institutions now 49.5%

# Supreme Court: No decision on OBC quota in private colleges

# Supreme Court: No harm in implementing OBC quota this year

# Supreme Court: Review of OBC quota list every five years

# Children of former, current MPs and MLAs to be excluded from quota

Supreme Court Verdict Today

The fate of the 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in higher educational institutions will be decided by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The apex court will decide whether the Centre was legally right to provide OBC quotas in higher educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

The court had put the quota on hold in 2007 after several petitions challenged it.

The key objection in the case is that the government based the quota on a 1931 survey.

The petitions also say that the creamy layer should not get reservation benefits and that the OBC quota will divide the society.

The OBC quota proposal had even led to widespread protests both for and against. However, the 27 per cent quota was passed unanimously by Parliament.

Now, if the court gives the go-ahead, the 27 percent quota could be implemented from 2008.

Source:http://www.NDTV.com

Obituary

This is to bring to your kind attention that one of the most prominent face and active member of YFE Mumbai, Vinit Shah, met an unfortunate accident in Panvel on 19/12/07 and succumbed to the injuries. Youth For Equality prays for the family of deceased. May God gives the family of Vinit, courage and strength in this difficult time.
May his soul rests in peace.














This is the one of the post of Vinit, which appeared in New Mumbai Times recently.
Stop hoardings!
Posted On Thursday, November 29, 2007

Panvel-based NGO has dragged BMC, NMMC and state government into high court on the issue of hoardings

Irked by ugly looking hoardings, a Panvel resident filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the state, municipal corporations of Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mumbai in the high court.

The case was called for hearing recently, in which chief justice Swaeanter Kumar has asked the government to frame a policy to curb this hoarding menace. Vinit Shah, the third year student of Bio-technology from DY Patil College, who went to court against hoardings, said, "Final verdict in the case (registration no is PIL/111/2007) is still awaited. I am, however, happy with the way the case has unfolded so far."

When asked why he lodged a PIL, Shah said, "Navi Mumbai is a new city and the hoardings are making it look ugly. Hoardings of politicians' birthdays, festive messages, etc are very irritating. These hoardings spoil the city's beauty and the messages are also irrelevant for most of the residents."

Shah, who runs Manavta Parmodharma Youth Organisation adds, "We used PIL as per the advise of our advocate HS Venegavkar. The hoarding menace needs to be discouraged, but in a legal way. Sources allege that most of the politicians never pay a fee for hoardings, which is terrible."

Hoardings put up during the festive season can be annoying at times, but does the city really crave to get rid of these hoardings? New Bombay Plus finds out..."During festivals and otherwise also, there are so many hoardings put up weirdly. They take almost two feet space from the road, which is already quite narrow.

Especially in the night, when vehicles enter Vashi, near Vashi Plaza, the banners are vaguely placed," said Nitin Patil, a Vashi resident. Some people have objections against brightly coloured hoardings. According to Amit Gupta, a Nerul resident, "After Vashi toll naka, there are many hoardings that are too bright and irritating while driving."

However, for societies that shelter these hoardings, it's a boon. In Vashi Shivaji Chowk, near Vashi depot, the buildings that host hoardings make big money.

According to Amardeep Singh from Ronak Advertising agency, "Generally, for 40/20 ft size hoarding, we pay about Rs 40,000 to 80,000 per annum, though rates vary, depending on the location. Usually, we book buildings for about 5-7 years, but from the past few months, NMMC has stopped issuing permission for the hoardings. There are societies that still approach us, as they also make good money out of hoardings."

When asked, secretary Dr SH Thorat from Arti society in sector 2, Vashi said, "In Mumbai, there are so many societies that are making crores of rupees through hoardings. We only make a few lakhs from it."
However, there are societies, which have given applications for hoardings.

Says Mahendra Kumar, a resident from Basera Society in sector 17, "If hoardings can save the money for society maintenance, then I have no problem in supporting it. Most of us would be happy to save money as society maintenance is increasing almost every year."

According to J Patnigire, deputy municipal commissioner (encroachment), "NMMC has already stopped issuing permission for hoardings. However, during festivals, temporary permissions are issued." About the case, Patnigire said, "The matter is in court and it would not be right to comment on it."

Navi Mumbai is a new city and the hoardings are making it look ugly. Hoardings of politicians' birthdays, festive messages, etc are very irritating. These hoardings spoil the city's beauty and the messages are also irrelevant for most of the residents.

Vinit Shah, ManavtaParmodharma Youth

Legal Case Update

The Addl. Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam started his arguments to prove the irrelevance of US judgment in the Indian scenario. He asserted the role of executive and legislative measures to ensure social justice by bringing all the backward castes in main fold. Taking the limelight away from the admissions issue, he repeatedly voiced the need to implement the fundamental right to equality enshrined in Part III of the consitution in its totality.
Justice Pasayat and Justice Thakkar expressed their concerns and apprehensions over the inadvertently long delay in attaining the objective through the quota route. To this, ASG retorted by expressing inability to find quick fix solutions to treat this age old malady and supported the quota and reservation system as the best form of special provision.
Then YFE counsel Rajeev Dhawan argued with the Chief Justice, to prove that the present form of quota is untenable and cannot stand judicial scrutiny. He said the modality taken for identification, for offering benefit and the percentage of reservation must be redefined.
ASG urged the need to view concept of equality from different perspective, which according to him, Equality means parity in condition and parity in treatment.
Gopal Subramanian's arguments full of loop holes had little impact on the judges. While countering YFE's presentation on Arjun Sengupta Report, the ASG armed with the full report, was caught on wrong foot when Justice Raveendran quizzed him on the data.
Later Andharjuniad (Albanian origin lawyer) on behalf of Kerala Government, Mrs. Indira Jaising for Andhra Pradesh Government put in their arguments. Mrs. Indira's argument was based more on historical past rather than present scenario.
The court is now reconvening on 23rd of October as the full bench of the judges is not available for that week. Ram Jethmalani will argue for the government on 30th.
Having known their stand on most issues, we need to prepare a strong counter point. Your inputs are appreciated and needed.

Latest Update on Court Case in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the law providing 27 per cent quota to OBCs in central educational institutions has to pass the test of equality and fairness.

"The touchstone of rationality and fairness is the test which the law providing reservation has to pass," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan observed when the Centre contended that quota for the backward classes was recognised by the Constitution.

"Equality and fairness has to be there," the Bench said cautioning that the targeted group of beneficiary comes from the so-called creamy layer.

The Bench also said that traditional occupation by which the persons' caste was recognised could not be the ground in the present scenario to identify the backwardness of a person.

It said many people of other castes were now opening beauty parlours which was the occupation of the people belonging to traditional barbar community.

"The defined occupations are not applicable in the present scenario to identify the socially and educationally Backward Classes," the Bench, which is examining the validity of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, observed.

"The Varna classification cannot apply now," the Bench said.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium was arguing that it was wrong to say that reservation was total anathema to the Constitution as contended by the anti-quota petitioners.

The court also said that perhaps no systematic survey was done for the identification of backward classes after the 1931 census when Pakistan , Bangladesh were part of India .

YFE needs funds. Please help

YFE is an organization which is fighting the petty vote bank politics of government in the name of 27% OBC RESERVATIONS in central institutes.India stands divided in the name of social justice and its very essential for all of us to take necessary steps before situation worsens.The resposibility of securing future of our Nation is citizen's responsibility and we should not left any stone upturned for the same.Youth for Equality is designed to bring people from different backgrounds and regions on a single platform with a common goal. It is now a registered trust under section 80G of the IT act We oppose any policy, which divides India. We want a policy catering to the genuine needs of all sections of the society.

Legal Battle in Honourable Supreme Court

YFE is currently fighting a legal battle against the reservation policy in the Supreme Court.
Ten petitions filed by YFE on different aspects of the case have been clubbed and are being heard together. A team of top 14 lawyers which includes names like Fali Nariman, Harish Salve, ML Lahoty, Indu Malhotra etc is fighting the case on the behalf of YFE in the apex court Lots of research work and collection of data is carried out on a regular basis in order to strengthen our case.

Why do we need your support?

We have been able to sustain the movement till date due to our sheer determination and dedication. Till date we have incurred a total expense of about Rs 8 to Rs 8.5 lacs on the legal battle. Now with 3 hearings per week in Supreme Court the expenses have increased and on an average we require atleast Rs 2-3 lacs per month to continue this fight . The next 4-5 months are very crucial for our legal fight. Its very hard for us to continue now as we are lacking funds.The hearing has againg started on August 7 with 5 judge bench hearing the case.Till date from 7th august we have incurred expenses worth Rs 2.5 lacs. The expenses are made towards travelling allowance, phone bills, research work to strengthen our case and paper work.Lots of expenses in getting photocopies of documents relesed after every hearing in the case is made. All the expenses are excluding any money paid towards the team of lawyers fighting the case on behalf of YFE in Supreme Court.
We maintain transparency and provide official receipts of any transactions made.

Why you should support us?

The majority of us think that Reservations are not good for Nation's health, but what have you done to ensure that this battle is not lost? Youth for Equality has got a tremendous verbal support. But a verbal support is not going to help now anymore. If we lose the legal battle at this point just because of lack of funds then this will be the biggest defeat of the Citizens in their own nation and will prove detrimental for the future generations. This case is going to determine the fate of reservations in our country. If the decision goes against us then there will be no end to reservations for atleat next 100 years. This in turn will prove disastrous.

So what are you waiting for?

If you consider yourself to be a responsible citizen of India then this is the time to lend your support to us.
"It is never the ACTIVITY OF RASCALS that destroys a society but always the INACTIVITY of GOOD PEOPLE."
Our Account Details
You can send in your donation by cheque/Demand Draft in favour of "Youth for Equality, Mumbai" to
Dr SK Kedia, Flat No 9, 23 Kedia Kunj, JB Nagar, Andheri(E),Mumbai-400 059
Helpline number: 9833158385
Dr Ravikant Singh 9324334359
Rishabh Srivastava 9892757958
You can also contact us on our 24 hour helpline 9833158385
For more information and updates please mail us on yfemumbai@gmail.com

CARTOONS

Quota system needs change to address social justice concerns

Beyond Caste

By Ravinder Kaur (in Times of India - on 5th June 2007)

The ongoing agitation by Gujjars for inclusion in the ST category once again provides us with an opportunity to clear the cobwebs around the reservation policy. Interestingly, that most ardent votary of reservations for OBCs, Arjun Singh, has not spoken his mind on whether Gujjars should be given ST status so that they can better access higher education and jobs. At the national level, Gujjars face competition from several other better equipped OBCs. In Rajasthan, it is the Jats who loom large. If it is social justice that is at stake, the Gujjars being lower in the hierarchy than Jats and Yadavs, must surely get their share of the education and jobs pie. The Gujjars are rightly worried that this will not be possible if they remain in the OBC category. Hence their strategic demand to lay claim to ST status where they will have less competition, apart from another group from Rajasthan, the Meenas. Most of the ST quota currently goes to the Meenas and to privileged north-eastern tribals. It is no surprise that the Meenas, having ruled the roost for many decades, are not thrilled at the prospect of having to compete for IIT, IIM, medical and IAS seats with the Gujjars. Two main issues are highlighted by the Gujjar demand: First, how do we conceive of social justice for groups? Second, how do we sociologically determine these groups for governance and more narrowly, for benefits of affirmative action? Taking the second question first, it is wellknown among sociologists that both social and state-created categories are constructed with plenty of fuzziness on the ground. In India, can we clearly distinguish between caste and tribe in all cases? The Meenas, most of whom are relatively prosperous and landed, do not reveal distinctive characteristics which can set them apart from other peasant groups in Rajasthan. They have never been isolated in the same manner as the forest-dwelling tribes of central India. If Meenas can be classified as a tribe, there is no logical reason why the Gujjars, who can lay claim to nomadic and pastoral pasts, should not. The Gujjars are a populous caste found in several states of the north and north-west India, whose livelihood has been based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Like the Yadavs, they are economically relatively welloff but are lower in the caste hierarchy than castes such as the Jats. Gujjars in states like Himachal Pradesh and J&K have ST status. In the early 20th century, plains Gujjars together with OBCs such as Ahirs and Yadavs attempted upward mobility by claiming Kshatriya status; today some of them are claiming ST status. At that time it was higher Hindu status that was the coveted good, today it is education and jobs even if it means downward caste mobility. The first question is equally crucial — how do we conceive of social justice in the first place? Having once decided that the basis of inequality in Indian society is caste, do we necessarily have to stick solely to the caste criterion even 60 years down the line? The courts have been persuaded by governments to favour reservation for entire caste groups deflecting attention from large intragroup inequalities. By favouring undifferentiated caste groups which may be extremely heterogeneous internally, economically and socially, are we not denying the most disadvantaged social justice? An earlier example of radical injustice was towards the Madigas of Andhra Pradesh, a group within the SC. In this case, the coastal Malas, another SC group, cornered most of the benefits meant for SCs. After suffering at the short end of the stick for a long time, the Madigas launched an agitation for splitting the group into four different sub-units in proportion to their population. The Andhra government, in 2000, passed an Act splitting the SC category into four. At that time, the chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu argued, “Categorisation is a well-meaning step aimed at social justice and not at creating social discord”. However, these noble sentiments did not last long as the Malas fought back and in 2005 the Supreme Court reversed the subcategorisation, undoing the hard-won victory of the Madigas. Interestingly, in parallel with upper caste arguments in favour of ‘merit’, the Malas had argued that while they were hard working and deserving the Madigas ate beef and loafed around. The Supreme Court, on its part, argued that the SC category was unitary and could not be split constitutionally. This, when the OBC category has been split into four in the south with no one objecting to the internal quota. Not surprisingly, SC intellectuals supported the retaining of a single category arguing that SCs should remain united and settle internal dissension without resorting to the courts. They argued that support for splitting the category reflected upper caste bias against reservations. Does this mean that caste justice comes at the expense of injustice to some groups within? In the recent proposed reservations for the OBCs, the politicians have voted heavily in favour of retaining the creamy layer. It is not even debatable that this will benefit the upper crust of the OBCs, leaving the most backward small service castes high and dry. If state largesse is to be distributed fairly, we need to emerge out of the straitjacket of caste and tribe and assess groups on their current social and economic status. The writer is associate professor, department of humanities and social sciences, IIT Delhi.

Democratise Education: An article in HT by JS Rajput

In its zeal for ‘detoxification’ of education and 27 per cent OBC quota, the human resource development ministry has lost the plot, which is to offer quality education to all irrespective of caste, sex, or denomination. The intervention of the Supreme Court in the 27 per cent reservations for OBCs case has revived the query: is it educationally sound and socially relevant? Is it really non-political? Did those who support it in Parliament do so after analysing its implications in the long-run? These questions are being asked by everyone. “This is 100 per cent politics,” is the common refrain. The way the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has acted during the past three years has made everyone apprehensive of its ‘hidden agenda’. Never before has the ministry been so brazen in its political manoeuvrings. Remember the much-hyped ‘detoxification’ and the ‘desaffronisation’ drive launched in May 2004? Crores of rupees have been wasted in rejecting the books printed between 2002 and 2004, only because of objections from a certain group of disgruntled Left academics. A proper educational evaluation was not considered necessary. the books prepared under instructions and in a hurry by ‘like-minded’ experts are being revised, rewritten and paragraphs are being withdrawn in much larger numbers than the much denigrated earlier versions of the ‘saffronised’ books. Today, school textbooks are in a mess. Pirated versions are taking precedence over original textbooks, several of which are nowhere to be found in the market. To give an example, a paragraph on the Jat community was replaced in 2001 after some historians disputed it as incorrect and unsubstantiated by facts. Its removal was officially declared a part of ‘saffronisation’ and it was restored with fanfare in 2004. In 2006, it was quietly replaced again the day after the chief minister of Haryana approached the union HRD minister. It is not noteworthy that one of the first acts of the HRD ministry after the new government took over was to issue instructions to the NCERT to stop publication of Karan Singh’s book on Vedanta and another on Thirukkural for teachers. This period was marked for the vendetta it unleashed on those who did not change colours with the change of government. The spate of enquiries, removals and harassment, extending to co-workers and even family members, will be remembered, as it was unprecedented. Some enquiry officers have been amply rewarded. Though initially appointed for three months, those who gave a command performance are about to complete three years. Whatever be the judicial verdict on the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, there are those who will recall what Kaka Kalelkar, the chairman of the first Commission on Backward Classes had to say: “Towards the end of our enquiry, we have come to the conclusion that caste, communal or denominational considerations need not be introduced in the educational policy. A progressive modern welfare State cannot afford to tolerate educational backwardness anywhere in the State. In most of the modern States more than 60 per cent of the scholars receive full educational aid. In India, it should be possible for the State to give educational aid to all the poor and deserving students in the country, irrespective of caste, sex, or denomination”. The question that needs an intensive debate is: Has the government of India discarded such an approach and if so, why? While pleading that reservations for SC/ST should continue for some more time, the Commission realised that “the time has come when all the poor and deserving should, and could, be helped, so that no communal consideration need be introduced in the field of education”. Governments survive on statistics, which can always be stretched to claim achievements even when the opposite is true. For some time the media management skills succeed in projecting ‘epoch-making’ initiatives and achievements. This, however, has a limited life. Eventually, the truth surfaces and people see through the game. Increased grants in the budget and the decline in dropout rates are projected as achievements. But the fact that the budget allocations are nowhere near the promised 6 per cent of GDP or that several million children are not going to school is just glossed over. The implementation of the mid-day meal scheme helps mostly other than those for whom it is intended. What happens in primary schools in terms of functioning or regularity is just a matter of detail. A big issue is made of reservations in institutions of higher learning but the need for regional language schools is ignored. Who suffers because of the poor functioning of primary schools? Not the wards of political leaders or government officials. It would be relevant to the political leadership of the day to recall the words of Jawaharlal Nehru: “I react strongly against anything which leads to inefficiency and second-rate standards. I want my country to be a first class country in everything. The moment we encourage the second rate, we are lost.” We are witness to the times of a second-rate political leadership.

J.S. Rajput is former Director, National Council for Educational Research and Training.

Body mass politic: An article in Indian Express by Bibek Debroy

Is there a better question to ask, as the UPA completes three years, than who really is the aam aadmi? Who are India’s poor? How does public policy select the right beneficiaries? ‘Weaker sections’ is a vague expression. ‘Backward classes’ is a shade more precise, though we can go around in circles trying to define working class, lower class, proletariat, lumpen-proletariat, lower class, under-class and slave-class. Marxist taxonomy has contributed to further confusion. But it is obvious that class is fundamentally an economic construct.

Note that in 1963, when a 50 per cent cap was imposed by courts in the Balaji case, 50 per cent of India’s population was indeed below the poverty line (BPL). NSS (National Sample Survey) data show a BPL figure of 27.5 per cent in 2004-05 according to one method (uniform recall) and 21.8 per cent according to a different method (mixed recall). Today, if we continue to harp on 50 per cent, we fail to recognise India has changed. And we do harp on 50 per cent. 15 per cent for SCs and 7.5 per cent for STs add up to 22.5 per cent. Since courts allow 50 per cent, 27.5 per cent must be other backward classes (OBCs). That’s a far better justification of the 27 per cent OBC figure than the 1931 Census, though there is a minor complication because combined SC/ST share in the total population has increased to 24.4 per cent. There is a tendency to assume all categories of people must be poor — SCs/STs, OBCs, women, physically handicapped, ex-servicemen, those born from inter-caste marriages, dependents of army forces personnel killed in action, Muslims (after Sachar Committee).

They must all benefit, not from positive affirmation, but from its Indian counterpart, reservations and quotas. There is a joke floating around on the Net about a rich girl (in KG) who was asked to write an essay about a poor family. This family (the couple and their two children), their gardener, driver, guard and four dogs were all poor. The family hadn’t eaten chicken for two days, the Mercedes hadn’t been serviced, the AC wasn’t working properly, the house hadn’t been painted for one year, the last foreign vacation was six months ago and so on. The point should be obvious to anyone not inordinately dumb, unless that person happens to be a politician. By correlating class (which is what one should be after) with caste, a double mistake is committed. First, one assumes everyone in a backward caste is economically backward (the so-called creamy layer issue). Second, one assumes everyone in a forward caste is economically forward, even if that person happens to reside in the rural back-of-beyond of eastern UP. The worst BPL state is Orissa, with a BPL figure

of 46.4 per cent — worse than Bihar. Isn’t it incongruous that the backward caste (SCs/STs/OBCs and based on NSS 1999-2000 data) population should be 29 per cent in Orissa and 66 per cent in

Tamil Nadu?

There can be a legitimate debate about whether reservations (education or jobs) are the best mode. But the broader issue is of identifying the poor (poverty not meaning income poverty alone), an exercise also required for subsidy targeting. One needs a BPL census rather than an OBC census. But since that’s difficult and also prone to abuse, are there other indicators one can use, spliced into an index? Since some districts (around 100) lack any physical or social infrastructure worth the name, one can also build that collective element into the index. Such indices have been suggested by Purushottam Agrawal (JNU), Yogendra Yadav and Satish Deshpande (CSDS) and Sachar Committee. In addition, there are 13 parameters suggested by the Planning Commission. Whichever technique is used, if the overall beneficiary figure (including for reservations) is more than 20 per cent, we are going wrong. And we will also go wrong if the bulk of beneficiaries aren’t in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Bihar, UP, Orissa, MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, not Tamil Nadu and Andhra.

However, an index is often too complicated. UNDP’s human development index (HDI) is a case in point, based on per capita income, education and health indicators alone. Its virtue is simplicity. Other indicators could have been included (and there was a debate when HDI first surfaced in 1990), but it transpires these three capture all we want. The National Family Health Survey found (1998-99) 47 per cent of children (under 3) are under-weight. A Nutrition Foundation of India study (2002) found 29 per cent of Delhi’s children (4-18 years) in a private school are over-weight. How many poor individuals are obese or over-weight? If we based reservation criteria on per capita income, BMI (body mass index) and mother’s literacy, we would probably do a far better job at identifying those who need reservations. Twenty other indicators can be added, but that loses the virtue of simplicity. As HDI (which is also an indicator of deprivation) showed, because of correlations, a few simple indicators often suffice. In any event, BMI is far superior to caste. Caste may lead to roads being named after specific individuals, but as a public policy tool, it is a road that leads nowhere. Remember the song ‘Road to Nowhere’? That has a line, “But they’ll make a fool of you.” That is what politics has always been.

The writer is an economist

pics of ATAMSAMMAN DIVAS,1st anniversary of the infamous lathi charge infront of RAJ BHAWAN, held on 13 may

An Appeal to all supporters of YFE

The Supreme Court has vindicated our stand on reservations.This stay order is not an occasion for one side to declare victory and another side war. It is rather an opportunity to replace divisive politics with one oriented to the common good, replace the illusory benefits of reservation with the real advantages of a well defined affirmative action policy and replace the politics of brute power with a commitment to sober reason.

But unfortunately all the signs are that politicians will once again sacrifice genuine social justice to a politics of expediency. a particular lobby of ministers and regional leaders are inclined to get the stay vacated.

The legal battle has become more intense. A team of top 14 lawyers of the country is fighting the case in SC on behalf of YFE.A lots of expenses has been incurred in collection and compilation of data, facts and figures to stregthen our case.A hearing in the court costs almost Rs 3 lacs.YFE is facing severe financial crisis.

It will be very sad if we cannot continue the legal battle due to lack of funds. All our efforts and hard work will be wasted. It's high time that all concerned citizens come forward and help us to fight this financial crisis. We need to raise as much funds possible before the hearing starts again. YFE appeals to please donate open heartedly and help us to fight this divisive politics.

A verbal support is not going to help now.

You can send in your DD/cheque in favour of "Youth for Equality,Mumbai". For any assistance call Dr Abizer on 98202 54008

Remember , it is never the activity of rascals that destroys the society but the inactivity of the good people.

Win we shall

Win we will

The truth will prevail.........

As we "Youth for Equality" are fighting for a just cause...........

Jai Hind
Mera Bharat Samaan

SC refers OBC quota issue to larger bench

Raising several questions on the validity of the government's caste-based reservation policy, the Supreme Court on Thursday referred to a larger bench the controversial issue of 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in elite Central educational institutions.

The court felt the government cannot adopt any bullying attitude which could impinge on the fundamental rights of the citizens.

Holding that the issue involved considerable importance of Constitutional law having an impact on the entire nation, a Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P K Jain said the larger bench would have to examine whether the government has got unbridled powers to evolve reservation policies without any restrictions.

The court said that it would be the larger bench which would have to review the 93rd Constitutional amendment by which Article 15 (5) was inserted to provide reservation to socially backward sections.

The bench had earlier this year stayed the implementation of the provision relating to OBC reservation in elite institutions like IITs and IIMs in the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation by Admission) Act, 2006.

The Centre approached the court for an urgent hearing on the issue by a larger bench so that a decision could be given at the earliest to enable implementation of the reservation for the current academic year.

Pointing out that the government's reservation policy appears to be violative of various provisions like Articles 14, 15, 21 and 22 which guarantee fundamental rights, the bench wondered what was the yardstick being applied in perpetuating the policies.

The apex court felt that if the government wanted to adopt a policy it should have focused on ensuring compulsory education for illiterates irrespective of the caste barrier.

The bench also raised a query as to why minority educational institutions have been exempted from implementing the 27 per cent quota policy, which had been made mandatory for all non-minority educational institutions.

Inclusion of private educational institutions for the purpose of implementing the policy was unrelated to compelling time, computable data and violative of the constitutional provisions.

Referring to the judgement in the Indira Sawhney case, the court queried why the government failed to exclude the creamy layer from the benefits of reservation.

YFE election Rally 28th Jan 2006

Youth For Equality in its support to Sanjeet Shukla, the independent candidate from sion-matunga ward, organised a rally in the ward. The rally was a huge success with never seen before turnout of the election campaigning volunteers.

And this time we not only made a difference in numbers, but also in quality.
People attending the rally had come in their support to Sanjeet.
They were not feeded with alcohol or chicken or a 100 rupee note.

This is a student's movement, and a movement of all the educated.
we are here to make a difference and we will make it.
Ashoke Pandit, our all-time supporter was also present in the rally.
Media was also keen in the story, a glimpse of which is shown in the picture below.
join hands, vote for sanjeet, and ask others to do so.

"Aarakshan ko hatana hai, sanjeet ko jeetana hai."



-YFE, Mumbai.

MEGA Rally on 28th Jan 2006

Youth For Equality, Mumbai is organising a mega rally on 28th of January 2006, Sunday
at 10:30 am.

The rally will begin at Arora Theatre, Matunga.

Be present at the rally, spread the message to everyone.

It is a moal responsibility of all of us that people are present at the rally in large numbers.

For further details contact : YFE Helpline :- 9833158385

YFE candidate for upcoming BMC elections... impt update

Monday, January 08, 2007 : Youth For Equality is putting up a candidate for the upcoming BMC elections from Ward no. 167 in Sion, Mumbai.
The candidate name is SANJEET SHUKLA, Age 23, LAW UG from Mithibai College. He would be filing his nomination tomorrow ie 9/1/07.
Nomination being done on basis of support from the citizens of Mumbai via email and our helpline Number.

Volunteers needed for campaigning in the upcoming elections.

Those interested may please contact E-mail: yfemumbai@gmail.com Helpline: 9833158385

YFE pays tribute to Dr. Ambedkar

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the man who deserves all the respect given by the exodus gathering at Chaityabhumi Shivaji park on Dec 2006 on the occasion of his 50th death anniversary Youth For Equality salutes the sheer intellect of the man who graduated from US and later on pursued education from London school of economics, despite the condition then prevailing in India. We at YFE Mumbai would like to urge students to take some inspiration from the man who moved considerable blocks in the Indian history. What we should understand here is that it was his sheer intellect and fondness of knowledge that could bring us to this moment. At the same time we at YFE want the entire nation to understand that Babasaheb looking at the need of the time then, introduced reservation policy for the poor and the needy. He also made it clear that the policy shouldn't last for more than 10 years, that is because he knew that the political parties in the greed of getting votes would misuse this policy and in turn use the people of India for their vote bank politics. He also wanted the dalits to stand on their own feets, a feat to which a quiet a few like U.Khobragade, B.Mumgekar, Narendra Jadhav and theirs have come up with .Its now up to the people of India whether to look upon such people and follow the path of Babasaheb Ambedkar or fall prey to selfish politicians whose level of intellect is not even close to Dr Ambedkar.

Open your eyes, acknowledge the facts and then decide.

GANDHIGIRI

The present polity has forgotten the values and path shown by the father of the nation. The policy steps being taken under influence of vote-bank politics are damaging and destroying the very social thread and unity BAPU had striven to create. The current attempt to perpetuate the caste bias by emphasizing on and making it a mark of identity 55 years post independence and 15 years post liberalisation is to polarise the society so that the politicians can get easy votes. BAPU fought the divide and rule policy of the britishers. Shamelessly present polity is using the same and destroying the future of the nation. We young Medical and Engineering students in an attempt to perpetuate the same message and propagate those values gathered at the ground opposite KEM to continue our nonviolent satyagraha. We remembered BAPU through some of his prayers and proceeded on a march to the congress headoffice at lower parel to send our best wishes and prayers to Mr Arjun Singh for successful treatment for his mentally deranged sate. Unfortunately we were blocked by the police administration.
It was really heartening to see senior citizens residing in the area coming down to walk along with us and convey the message of bapu.
Prominent citizens like Mr Ashok Pandit , Dr C.J.Thakker, also came along to fight to save the nation.
We hope government stops this divide and rule policy. Instead of dividing the country on basis of caste it withdraws the current SYSTEM OF RESERVATION BASED ON CASTE

OUR PROTEST FOR THE CURE OF THE MENTALLY DERANGED STATE OF MR ARJUN SINGH WILL CONTINUE TILL GOOD SENSE PREVAILS.
JAI HIND.LONG LIVE INDIA.

Gandhigiri on 2nd October

REMEMBERING THE MAHATMA


Youth For Equality's program on Gandhian values on Oct 2nd 2006
Background:
Youth For Equality (YFE) is a social organisation voicing against the petty vote bank politics involved in the caste based reservations. YFE has always believed in non-violence and has so far successfully used the tool in the battle against the politicians. We at YFE feel that there is a need to imbibe Gandhian values within the Congress govt itself. The police and the govt so far have been using violence against us. The policies of the govt are dividing the national integrity. Thus YFE has organised an awareness camp with a hope that the govt someday will open its eyes to the reality and come down to the true path led by the Mahatma.
YFE invites you all to "Remember The Mahatma"

We at YFE feel that our Hon Hrd Minister Mr. Arjun Singh is not Mentally well, as a result he is coming up with the weird ideas of Caste Based reservations. We sincerely hope that he gets well soon.


DATE : 2nd OCTOBER
TIME : 11 a.m - 12 noon
PLACE : K.E.M HOSPITAL , PAREL


Please be present to contribute your wishes for his speedy recovery. Please get a rose alongwith you. Also spread the word to as many as possible.

Jai Hind

-Youth For Equality.
Helpline number: 9833158385
Website : www.yfemumbai.blogspot.com

Orkut: http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=12556699

Arguments of the pro-reservation brigade and their rebuttals:

The basic arguments of the pro-reservation brigade are:

1. They have been oppressed for the past 2000 years and that they need reservations to progress
This is the basic concept which has to be understood; so read this carefully. Those who have been oppressed for the last 2000 or whatever years are the dalits, the untouchables, and NOT the OBCs. And the dalits (SCs and STs) have got reservations for the last 60 years. The Constituent Assembly did not extend reservations to the OBCs because it thought that they do not need them, that they are sufficiently well-off to progress without the crutches of reservations.
OBC as the full form says is OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES,Mind you it was never CASTE.The class could comprise anyone,it could have been village artisans or even economically backward upper caste.The important word in OBC is BACKWARD and not class or caste…
And reservations do not seem to have worked even for the SCs and STs. In the Delhi University, between 1995 and 2000, just half the seats for under-graduates at the Scheduled Castes level and just one-third of the seats for under-graduates at the Scheduled Tribes level were filled. All the others went empty, unfilled (NSSO stats). SC and ST seats lying vacant in educational institutes: 41543 in Rajasthan, 11500 in MP, 12549 in TN, 6000 in Himachal Pradesh… Obviously, the policy of reservations is flawed.

As far as the OBCs are concerned, they include Yadavs, who were kings (Lord Krishna was a Yadav) 2000 years ago! Indeed, far from being oppressed, a Yadav has been worshipped for the past 2000 years. Jats were also rulers. Patils were village headmen. So the oppression part is just a big lie repeated repeatedly. Read ahead for a more comprehensive idea.

Contrary to the impression created by the votaries of reservations, caste has not been an entirely rigid construct in India. Going back 2000 years in Indian history, one can find numerous instances of royal families (such as the Nandas and the Mauryas) who were neither Brahmin nor Kshatriya nor Bania.

In more recent history, it may be worth mentioning that as Mughal rule collapsed in Northern and Western India, Jats assumed royal power in parts of Haryana, Northern Rajasthan and Western UP. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and MP, upwardly-mobile sections of agriculturists (i.e. the Marathas) assumed royal power.

Prior to that, during the Mughal rule, Yadav chieftains ruled minor principalities as subordinates to the Mughals.

Yet today, all these aggressive neo-Kshatriya groupings claim OBC status.

Likewise, the Patels of Gujarat, who were once agriculturists, have come to play a significant role in the world of commerce. However, in spite of their neo-Bania existence, they mostly prefer to claim OBC status.

Thanks to the numerous schemes for small businesses instituted since independence, individuals from various agricultural and other castes have acquired successful trades and small businesses. Yet, none will give up their OBC status for the purpose of reservations.

In Southern India, all manner of castes that are (or were) in practice equivalent to the North Indian Kshatriya or Bania castes have instead very craftily acquired OBC status.
Since the Dravidian movement’s exclusive focus was on isolating Brahmins, other forward castes have happily escaped any censure and have instead were utilized reservations to further strengthen their hold on power.

Although the exclusion of the creamy layer may in principle prevent these neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias from monopolizing the benefits of reservations, in practice, exclusion of the creamy layer does not work as desired, since hiding incomes in India is hardly a difficult thing.

It is thus likely, that any extension of the policy of reservations to OBCs will be garnered almost exclusively by the neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias, although sections of India’s glib media will showcase the few genuinely deserving cases that benefit to mask the actual reality of reservations.
Of course, there is nothing in this policy for the SC/ST categories who are yet to take proper advantage of even the existing reservations.

2. They consist of 52% of the populace
That is something based on the 1931 census, extrapolated to 1980 by the Mandal Commission without any statistical analysis. The latest figures are of 1999, given by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), a Government body, which states the figure to be 36% (including Muslim OBCs, 32% being the non-Muslim OBC figure).
And anyway India does not follow a policy of representation. Otherwise 50% of all seats must be reserved for women!
Finally realize the concept of reservations. They are supposed to be only for those who lacked the opportunities to develop their inherent merit. The creamy layer does not need them. So if you exclude these, the percentage falls even further.

3. Merit is not compromised
Let the stats speak in this case.
A survey conducted by IIT shows that half the reserved seats go empty. And of those who do get in, 25 per cent fail to complete the course.
In the best medical college of Maharashtra, a 106 ranked student did not get admission but a 14000 ranked student from Mumbai itself did, thanks to reservations.
Forget graduate courses. Think of the post-graduate level, where they should now be on par, with the same teachers, books and study environment for the entire graduate course. Now they should prove their merit. But the cut-off rank for Psychiatry in Maharashtra PGCET 2005 was 357 for the open category, and 3553 for the Reserved category.
Here are the official statistics for seats of SC / ST line vacant in educational institutes- 6000 in himachal Pradesh , 1000 in haryana , 41543 in rajasthan, 11500 in MP, 12549 in tamil nadu. Perhaps this also means keeping these many “GENERAL CATEGORY” students forcibly uneducated who are otherwise willing.
It is the government that has laid down a system based on competitive exams where candidates on the top end of the merit list are chosen to fill the vacant seats. Now to make merit a dirty word is to argue against the very system odf competitive exams laid down by the government. Besides no seat in an examination is marked “reserved for general category candidates, instead the unreserved seats are open to all including SC/ST/OBC. There is no prejudice against capable dalits as there is no bias in favor of incapable Brahmans.



4. We are speaking against the Constitution
The original Constitution did not provide for reservations for OBCs. It provided them only for SCs and STs, and that too for a limited period of 15 years. This kept on being extended for political reasons, and was of course extended to OBCs by Mr V P Singh.
We believe that the 93rd Ammendment goes against the basic character of the Constitution and our basic right to equality. Equality of all citizensis the fouding faith of our constituition as enshrined in its Preamble.A PIL is already filed on this matter in the Supreme Court.
Our next question is that Why is it that implementation of the Directive Principles ,like Education for all,is not a priority but 93rd amendment is?
The Supreme Court has ruled in our favour on the current issue and has asked the Government to explain the basis on which it has decided to extend reservations further. So in fact, anyone who speaks against this is actually liable to contempt of court.
Supreme court had said in peria karupan as early as in 1971 “ government should not proceed on the basis that once a class is considered as a backward class it should continue to be backward class for all time…. Reservation of seats should not be allowed to become a vested interest”

Is reservation at the post graduate level justified?…… Dr Preeti Srivastava 1999 a constitution bench of the supreme court held that at the level of super-specialty courses, no reservation is permissible since it is contrary to national interest as regards reservation at PG level the question was left open, however the reason that there shall be no reservation for super-specialty courses apply with equal forces to PG course.

Indra sawhney Vs Government of India. – The supreme court held that once a person gets selected to a cadre by a direct recruitment on the basis of reservation, he belongs to one class along with others directly recruited in open competition, and a second level reservation there after for promotion is not valid. This principle holds good for reservation in PG courses also.

Does the 93rd amendment make it mandatory to provide such reservations ???
The clause (5) which was inserted into article 15 by the 93rd amendment enables the state to provide quotas for the backward classes in private unaided professional colleges established by non minorities is ex-facie discriminatory in violation of the law laid down by 11 judge bench decision in T.M.A. Pai. Secondly it is also discriminatory towards the backward classes as they are deprived of securing reservations in minority colleges. Thirdly the constitution bench of supreme court as early as in 1963 in M.R. Balaji held that article 15(4) is only an enabling provision and it does not impose an obligation to provide for reservation. The same holds good for 93rd amendment.



5. Why doesn’t YFE oppose management quota if our fight is for merit?
We do oppose management quota as well. In fact, this is one of the few points where both parties agree. Why don’t the politicians abolish management quota in that case? Simply because all these private colleges are owned by them. Politicians are only after two things – votes and money. They get their votes by reservations and they get their money by management quota.
One point to clarify – the private medical colleges in Maharashtra do not have management quota. The fee of their seats is higher (as decided by the court and a committee), but admissions are based on a Common Entrance Test and on merit only.

And finally, remember this one argument to end all arguments. The entire country agrees that casteism is bad and needs to go. Ask them how reservations will end the caste system.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO DETAINED SUPPORTERS

Those who were detained on 25th august 2006.

1) You were not arrested but were only detained.
2) There was no case whatsoever registered against you.
3) There will never be a problem regarding any academic, passport, job issues.

There are doctors here in YFE who have been detained 4 times so dont feel insecured and yfe always maintains a legal back up whenever we protest or take any actions that involves the government.

Battle won, war is still on

With unity and determination youth for equality has acheived a milestone by getting the bill postponed to winter session but our triumph is not over. We will continue with our agitation. our unity has shaken the government's mindless policy of bringing reservation. They were not able to albatross our dream. we congratulate each and every yfe member for their support. For all those who are still scepticle here are few facts
1) For the first time in Indian history seats are being increased in higher education only because of our effort. i.e not a single new IIT had been created in the last 50 years but because of YFE there will be several new IITs.
2) The seats in genral category has not been reduced, this was posssible only because of our triumph.
3) We brought down the government to its Knees and forced them to form an oversight committe.
4) The power is back in the hands of the youth. now government knows the youth is not ignorant.

Our new demands 3C's
1)Commission- we want a political commission to objectively and statisticaly prove the country that the reservation policy has worked en mass and review the mandal commission.
2) Court - we had stopped our agitation earlier because the supreme court had intervened and now as the matter is in the court what right the government has to pass the bill, isnt this a contempt of court or, is that the laws are only for common people.
3) Creamy layer - why is the government desperate to include creamy layer and deny the economicaly backward people to get the benefits of reservation. This law if it comes as it is, will favour only the rich OBC's isnt this a sheer vote bank policy.

REMEMBER THE WAR IS STILL ON.......

The D day has arrived.......................

This is to all the YFE supporters tommorow at girgaum chowpatty at 11.00 clock near wilson college we all will assemble . please be there this is our final battle for our rights.

Protest rally in Mumbai: A huge success

A protest march was organized by YFE in Mumbai which was attended by more than 300 students from various fields. The students marched from Arora Cinema in Matunga for a short distance before the police stopped them.
A few were detained, initially the police insisting that they would be released immediately, were later detained for 3 hours after which they were released on bail.

The major demands were:-
1. Review of the entire reservation policy by an Apolitical Commission.
2. Non - inclusion of the creamy layer
.3. Consultation of the students union in framing of the policies.
4. the Government endorse the judgment given by the supreme court and frame the policy accordingly.

CABINET HAS PASSED THE BILL TODAY.

Dear yfe members and enthusiasts. with great dissappointment today cabinet committe has passed the bill for reservation. The time has again come for us to unite together and fight for our rights . let us fight our battle with all the zest and make this government realise the power of youth of India.

impotant far all yfe members send your phone numbers

YFE mumbai is launching revolutionised mass SMS system. we will be able to send 2000 SMS at a go . please send your phone numbers better will be with your friends numbers to at yfemumbai@gmail.com . privacy will be maintained.
warm regards yfe mumbai

STREET PLAY AT VASHI STATION ON 15TH AUGUST

There was a play that was conducted outside Vashi railway station on 15th August. The play named "ZERO PERCENT" depicted "how caste system has created social discrimination and inequality in INDIA" . THE play reflected the voice of respnosible youth "WE WANT JUSTICE AND EQUALITY", todays youth does not wish to be recognised by his caste but by his talent and ability. There were around 500 strong people watching the play without any fear of rain.

NEXT WEEK GOVERNMENT IS BRINGING THE BILL IN THE PARLIAMENT SO LETS GEAR UP AND FIGHT OUR BATTLE FOR JUSTICE.

LET US PREPARE OURSELF FOR THE FINAL WAR.

Human Chain in Mumbai 23 July : A GRAND SUCCESS

Sunday, July 23, 2006 : Human Chain in Mumbai from Bandra to Andheri on 23rd July.
Human chain in mumbai from Bandra to Andheri was a huge success despite all the efforts of administration to sabotage it.As a matter of fact more than 2000 citizens of Mumbai took active part in this endeavour.
People forming the human chain had banners and balloons in their hands which looked really beautiful. Some volunteers also distributed pamphlets at the signals which were eagerly accepted by the commuters. This event has really boosted the confidence of yfemumbai.

YFE Mumbai organised a human chain on 23rd July as part of the nation-wide protests against the Govt's reservation policy. The police in order to sabotage the protest at the last moment refused to allow the human chain on S.V. Road from Bandra to Andheri from 5-6pm.
Instead they gave written permission to have it at 1 pm.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT:-YFE MUMBAI HELP LINE:- 9833158385

LANDMARKS FROM
ANDHERI STATION
MERWANS
SHOPPERS STOP
FIRE BRIGADE
KALPANA AUTO
IRLA NURSING HOME
SONY MONY
St. JOSEPH SCHOOL
ASHOKA HALL
NANAVATI HOSPITAL
LIC QUARTERS
VIP SHOWROOM
KHIRA NAGAR
MEJWANI HOSPITAL
STAN CHART (S CRUZ)ASIAD PLAZA
YOKOS
DYNASTY
KHAR SUBWAY
SACRED HEART SCHOOL
MADNESS DISCO
G-7
BANDRA TALAO
LUCY HOTEL

Pukar - The call

This is it. The D-Day. The final battle.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have sunk into everyone yet. The Monsoon session of Parliament begins on 24th of July, i.e., next Monday, and ends on the 10th of August. The Bill can be passed anytime in between. It may be passed on Monday itself. So next week is the last possible day to spread YFE. And then its going to be the big battle.

Let us all realize this very clearly. IT IS NOW OR NEVER. Now is the time to leave everything else and devote this one week of your life entirely to your country and your cause. No excuse can be given for not working now; that is unpardonable. It is rare that someone gets a chance to do something for his country; we are not going to squander it. YFE was formed for a definite purpose, and it is not going to rest without achieving it.

And for that to happen we need each and every one of you to work his hardest.
So for one week, sacrifice all your serials and movies, sacrifice all your sports, stop discussing Zidane and Materazzi, stop spending hours on Orkut, stop gossiping hours on the phone, and DO SOMETHING FOR YOR COUNTRY FULLY AND WHOLE-HEARTEDLY. For one week do what is given below and then see how together we make the difference.

What has happened since the SC order?
A lot. YFE has been busy strengthening its roots and organizational base. A short recap for those who were out of it.
The engineers got into the act as soon as their exams got over, as promised, and organized a human-chain outside Vashi station. It had a great response.
YFE volunteers went to all the college line of 10th students seeking admission in JCs. The response was encouraging in most places.
YFE T-shirts printed. They are available for Rs. 125 each. All those who want them, please contact the helpline.
On 1st April – Doctors day – YFE members went wearing aprons and spread awareness in all localities from Andheri to Shivaji Park along SV Road and thereafter.
The above activity was also done to get people to participate in the human chain organized along that route on 5th of June. Unfortunately, that could not be done successfully due to the rains.
On 15th of June, Saturday, YFE held a peace march from Haji Ali to Shivaji Park for religious harmony and peace in wake of the bomb blasts and to protest against Maharashtra government surreptitiously passing the bill allowing 50% reservations in all medical and engineering colleges in the state the day after the blasts.
The first National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting was held on 16 to18th of June to have a uniform stand, demands and coordination. Currently, the second meeting is going on (15-16th of July) at Delhi to decide on the strategy for the monsoon session. The minutes will be put up on the website as soon as everything gets decided.
A music video has been made by Ashok Pandit, lyrics Sameer, singer Roop Kumar Rathod, and is going to be released on either Wednesday or Thursday as per availability of the hall. You will be informed of that when it gets fixed. It will be aired on all music channels.

Plan of Action:
The plan is very simple. We have to spread YFE from a students’ to a mass movement. And for that, we need to go to the people personally. Media coverage alone is not going to help. So whom we need to target include –
Engineering colleges are restarting on Monday, the 17th. We need to talk to all these eng students and get them actively involved. So, each and every engineering student who reads this, please do as follows –
Book a lecture theatre/classroom of your college (or any specific meeting place) on Monday or Tuesday, get all the students of all batches there and talk to them about this. For all willing to volunteer, assign them specific areas or tasks to cover there and then and give them the material for the same. There is no time to waste.
Junior colleges will be restarting this week too. The same has to be done there. This will be better handled if the senior students (degree or 12th std students) of the same college, or atleast ex-students, handle it. Those who had already gone to JCs during the 10th lines, please get in touch with us for the same too.
Degree colleges need to be handled similarly. PLEASE, degree college students, help out the country now.
Railway stations – In order to make this a public movement, this is the most essential thing possible. The above steps are all student specific again. Targeting the masses is a must. It will make people realize that YFE is still alive and will stimulate discussions in the trains and homes of all of them. Plus, when we give one a pamphlet and he has nothing to do during his/her half hour train journey, they are bound to read it. This is the only way to spread YFE in the community.
Specific colonies and housing societies – Everyone needs to put up our pamphlets on the notice board and lifts of their buildings and offices. Plus, they need to cover buildings in their vicinity, as also specific middle class housing societies where people mostly support us.
Malls and theatres – This needs to be done atleast on weekends, when the crowd is more.

If we do this next week, we are sure to win. So please, volunteer for whichever of these suits you for this one week. We have pamphlets ready for all of this. We will arrange to reach it to you at your college or station.

Note the following
People often ask why are you still doing this and what have you achieved till now. Tell them that what we have achieved till now is unprecedented. If the number of seats in IITs are being increased from 5000 to 7500, it is because of us. If the govt is spending 8000 crores on higher education, it is because of us. If the Veerapa Moily committee has been formed, it is because of us. If for the first time in the hiosrtory of India since indepence, Delhi had a 40000 string non-political non-religious rally, it is because of us. Tell them we are now a registered Association and have become a platform for all future batches and generations. And if the reservation will ultimately be foiled, it will be because of us and because their support to us.
They ask you what can you do if they pass the bill. Explain that this fight is not a selfish one you are fighting only for yourselves. It is for all future batches too, so that they don’t have to face any such struggles again. Tell them that you intend to ensure that any govt which passes such a divisive bill will never be voted to power again. We need to have foresight. The Congress today has about 170 seats in Parliament. Imagine if it wins 270 in next elections. No party will think twice before imposing more reservations. Now imagine if it gets only 70!! No party will have the guts to put any more reservations. And that is what we intend to ensure, starting with the BMC elections of Mumbai the upcoming year.
DO NOT WASTE TIME ARGUING OR FIGHTING WITH PRO-QUOTA PEOPLE. Everyone is bound to face them sometime during this activity. Just say that everyone is entitled to their opinion and that you are neither against reservations nor the reserved category, you just want a new commission and an informed decision. You are just there to spread awareness about what you consider to be right and about your organisation, and that is your right. Do not take any panga with anyone.
Read up all statistics about reservations and Mandal on our site. And see our powerpoint presentation. You should be aware before you try and convince others.


Upcoming Events:
The exact dates will be finalized by Monday, but they will include the music video release, a human chain on SV road and probably a rally. Dates to be put up on the site.

IT’S THE TIME TO ACT. ITS NOW OR NEVER. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CAN. CALL US UP AND WE WILL IMMEDIATELY GIVE YOU ALL MATERIAL YOU NEED.
Mail in all your suggestions to the yfemumbai@gmail.com

Call up
Dr. Gunjan: 9224460881
Dr. Abbas: 9819605432
Akshay: 9869900455
YFE helpline: 9833158385

SAMAANTHA YATRA BUS WILL START FROM MUMBAI ON JULY 19 AND REACH DELHI ON JULY 24

Save your nation board the bus. This bus will take our voice to the capital.

Mandal Bandal

In the past few weeks, the Mandal Commission has been put through a tight scrutiny by many experts. Unfortunately, the comments and criticisms have all been in many different articles; so unless one is an avid reader with an extremely sharp memory, not much is retained. Here is a composite picture.

The Mandal Commission is a 1980 report. In other words, it is 26 years old.

Its statistics are based on the 1931 census and 1891 cost indexing. Thus, its populations statistics are 75 years old and the economic criteria on based on which it has defined OBCs are 115 years old!!

It puts the total number of OBCs at 52%, while the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), a government body, puts it at 36%, which is the latest statistic available. A statistical fallacy of about 30%! If you extrapolate this to its other stats and the recommendations based on these, you will realize why a review is essential.

The only Dalit member of the Mandal Commission, L R Naik, did not sign it. He predicted that its benefits will be reaped only by the creamy layer (the Intermediate Backward Classes), who anyway does not need reservations, and will never reach those who actually need it (the Most Backward Classes), and this is exactly what has happened.

The three sociologists of the Mandal Commission - Professors Roy Burman, Srinivas and Jogendra Singh, specifically stated that ‘they were denied any real opportunity to participate in the findings’!!!

The report is based on the work of a research and planning team ‘which met only for 3 days’ and a second panel (Srinivas panel – who anyway stated that he hasn’t contributed) which met for 5 days. And both these meetings were to discuss how to obtain data. There was no meeting at all to evaluate the data gathered. Thus, no specialist was involved in the Commission for more than 8 days.

In order to obtain some current data, the Mandal Commission carried out a survey in 810 of the then 500000 villages (that’s about 0.001%)This was performed by junior Government officials without supervision or validation by any sociologist.

The Commission’s concluding paragraph on its own work states: ‘In the end, it may be emphasized that the survey has no pretensions to being a piece of academic research’!!!

Pandit Nehru opposed reservations. Rajiv Gandhi opposed Mandal. The Knowledge Commission, S S Gill (Mandal Commission secretary), Kapil Sibal, the honourable Supreme Court, lakhs of Indians have all questioned the Mandal Report based on these very facts. It is the duty of a democratically elected Government to pay heed to all these valid objections to the further implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations without any review and proof of their effects.

The Government must follow what is the basis of good governance, that is, to make an informed decision. Any change in the reservation policy must be made based on today’s facts, today’s statistics and today’s scenario, and not on the basis of a 1980 Mandal Commission. Any decision regarding spending Rs. 8000 crores of tax-payers hard-earned money can be made only after careful consideration and objective review by an independent non-political commission.

--Akshay Baheti, Youth For Equality

Neo-Brahmins Neo-Kshatriyas and the true OBCs

Although the policy of extended reservations has been projected as furthering the cause of “affirmative action”, its most likely beneficiaries are unlikely to be the struggling children of poor villagers that the champions of this policy claim to speak for.

Contrary to the impression created by the votaries of reservations, caste has not been an entirely rigid construct in India. Going back 2000 years in Indian history, one can find numerous instances of royal families (such as the Nandas and the Mauryas) who were neither Brahmin nor Kshatriya nor Bania.

In more recent history, it may be worth mentioning that as Mughal rule collapsed in Northern and Western India, Jats assumed royal power in parts of Haryana, Northern Rajasthan and Western UP. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and MP, upwardly-mobile sections of agriculturists (i.e. the Marathas) assumed royal power.

Prior to that, during Mughal rule, Yadav chieftains ruled minor principalities as subordinates to the Mughals.

Yet today, all these aggressive neo-Kshatriya groupings claim OBC status.

Likewise, the Patels of Gujarat, who were once agriculturists, have come to play a significant role in the world of commerce. However, in spite of their neo-Bania existence, they mostly prefer to claim OBC status.

Thanks to the numerous schemes for small businesses instituted since independence, individuals from all manner of agricultural and other castes have acquired successful trades and small businesses. Yet, none will give up their OBC status for the purpose of reservations.

In Southern India, all manner of castes that are (or were) in practice equivalent to the North Indian Kshatriya or Bania castes have instead, very craftily acquired OBC status.
Since the Dravidian movement’s exclusive focus was on isolating Brahmins, other forward castes have happily escaped any censure and instead were able to utilize reservations to further strengthen their hold on power.

Although the exclusion of the creamy layer may in principle prevent these neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias from monopolizing the benefits of reservations, in practice, exclusion of the creamy layer may not work as desired, since hiding incomes in India is hardly a difficult thing.

It is thus likely, that any extension of the policy of reservations to OBCs will be garnered almost exclusively by the neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias, although sections of India’s glib media will showcase the few genuinely deserving cases that benefit to mask the actual reality of reservations.

Of course, there is nothing in this policy for the SC/ST categories who are yet to take proper advantage of even the existing reservations.

There should be no illusions about this. The Sonia-Manmohan-Chidambaram-Arjun team along with its pseudo-Marxist allies is batting for the neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias. Everyone else who has joined their bandwagon for opportunistic reasons will be duped, but most will not find that out till many years from now.

However, if brand India is adversely affected by such moves (which is not unlikely), then even the South will suffer in a big way, because it could entirely derail the outsourcing gravy train. The neo-Kshatriyas and neo-Banias who are aggressively pushing this policy may then discover that they have won nothing but a pyrrhic victory.

India’s near future is inextricably linked to the quality of its graduating intellectuals. If such a policy exacerbates the brain drain, or if international perceptions about Indian talent change adversely, the neo-Kshatriyas and the neo-Banias (who may succeed in grabbing college seats from more deserving aspirants) will not be guaranteed the lucrative jobs that they currently envy.

In a globalized economy, there is no room for petty entitlements. If the beneficiaries of reservations fail to meet stringent international norms, they (along with India as a whole) will be dumped for some other nation, such as China or Vietnam.

Notwithstanding the tall claims made by the reservation hawks, the policy could end up being a lose-lose policy for the nation as a whole.

But India’s progress seems to be the very last thing on the minds of India’s highly duplicitous political elite

RISING OF THE STORM..

VATAN KI FIKRA KAR NADAN
MUSIBAT AANE WALI HAIN
TERI BABADIYAON KE MASHWRE HAIN
AASMANO MEIN


NA SAMJHOGE TO MIT JAOGE
AEI HINDUSTAN WALON
TUMAHARI DASTAN TAQ BHE
NA HOGI DASTANO MEIN



YFE MUMBAI IS ORGANISING A HUMAN CHAIN FROM ANDHERI STATION TO SHIVAJI PARK ON SV ROAD ON WEDNESDAY 5TH JULY 2006 BETWEEN 4.OO PM TO 7.OO PM .


PLEASE SEE THE MAP AND GATHER AT YOUR NEAREST LAND MARK*(Click on the image to enlarge) PREFERABLY IN BLACK AND WHITE WITH BLACK BANDS .


PLEASE COME OUT OF YOUR HOUSES TO SUPPORT US IN OUR ENDEAVOUR TO SAVE OUR NATION. WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. ITS NOT ONLY ABOUT YOUR FUTURE, BUT ALSO OF OUR COMING GENERATIONS.


GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN BY GOING TO HOUSING SOCIETY AND INFORMING THEM ABOUT THIS EVENT. TOGETHER WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT:-

YFE HELP LINE:- 9833158385

* when u start from shiv sena bhawan towards bandra from hinduja hospital side u will come across a signal that is aproximately 300 mts from shivaji park signal u will find ashray hotel on ur right side. the lane adjoining ashray hotel leads u to laxminarayn bag (hall) [on ur right side].

Meeting for all those who wish to help us

We, at Youth for Equality, Mumbai have been flooded with mails from people asking us how they can contribute to the movement. YFE Mumbai has hence organized a meeting of all those interested in volunteering / helping out in any way possible. The discussion at the meeting will consist of the following points:

1. The movement and activities so far,
2. The National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting of all YFEs in India,
3. A powerpoint presentation highlighting the YFE ideology,
4. Common arguments used by the pro-reservation camp and suitable counter-arguments,
5. Further plan of action,
6. Organisation of volunteers.

Through this meeting, we aim to inform you about YFE's stand and how you can take the movement forward. Remember, this is YOUR movement. If YOU, the people do not support this, the movement is bound to die out, your voices are bound to go unheard, and future generations are bound to question our inactivity.

There is only one way to help prevent the future generation of kids from ruining their lives out of depression for not having got their deserved seats in education, and it is by raising a strong and united front against this political gamble. So please come out in the open and volunteer for the cause.

Venue: Lakshmi Narayan Baug, Near Shiv Sena Bhavan, Shivaji Park

Date: Friday, 23rd June, 2006

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm (please be punctual; the venue has been booked for 2 hrs only)

National Coordination Committee Meeting

YFE members in Bangalore have called for a meeting with YFE representatives from all over the country to plan a unified effort so that the movement can be most efficient. This meeting will be held from June 16-18, 2006 in Bangalore.

The representatives from Maharashtra state will be:
1. Ravikant Singh (GS Medical College & KEM Hospital)
2. Girish Talwar (Govt. Law College Alumnus)
3. Vivek Vijay (IIT-B student)
4. Varun Bafna (BJ Medical College & Hospital, Pune)

Appeal for Hunger Strike

This is an appeal to all colleges to initiate a hunger strike as early as possible as a show of unity with the New Delhi doctors and IIT-Bombay.

To get list of students from IIT Bombay on hunger Strike click on http://yfeiitb.blogspot.com/

Specifics:
There is no minimum number of students that need to participate.
It can be on a continuous basis or a relay basis.
Please take care as we do not want anyone to jeopardise their health.

New Delhi has appealed to everyone to initiate this nationwide hunger strike by 9 a.m. on Friday 25th May 2006. We must stand with YFE-bodies all over India as a sign of our unity.

Thanks and looking forward to your cooperation,
YFE Mumbai.

IIT-Bombay students on Hunger Strike

20 students of IIT Bombay are on Hunger Strike to protest against the Congress-led Government policies to hike reservation in Higher education. Their specific demands (which are also present in the YFE demand-list) are:
1. Roll back of the present hike
2. A review of the present educational system which including primary & secondary education.
3. To setup a non-political judicial committee to assess the results of reservation for the past 50 years.

To get list of students on hunger Strike click on http://yfeiitb.blogspot.com/

YFE Mumbai urges the public to extend their support and realize the importance of our protest.

Thank you,
YFE Mumbai.

ROYal Lies

In a blatant attempt at covering the police force's brutality, Mr. A. N. Roy, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai went on to make several statements to the press and TV channels that were lies:

• Students were not lathi-charged
• Protesters were trying to break into the Governor's residence
• No one has been injured
• Protesters fought with police

If he did not mean to lie, it means that A. N. Roy does not watch television news, or his sources of information can take him for a ride very easily.

Uninformed fool or a dirty liar: either or both.

Police Brutality Knows No Bounds

It is indeed a day to look upon with immense disgust as the city witnessed one of the most brutal attacks by the police on peaceful protesters. The force that's supposed to be the custodian of security unleashed hell at Walkeshwar this evening as Youth For Equality staged a peaceful protest outside the Governor's bungalow.

The students involved were distributing pamphlets to raise awareness about the cause YFE has been involved in when the police force appeared and, without warning, began lathi-charging the protesters.

This act by the police is one of the most inhuman ones, as you shall see in the coming lines:

• The protest was labelled "violent", which is wholly an untruth
• Police claimed YFE "gatecrashed" the Governor's house, which cannot be possible if people sit on the road outside distributing pamphlets
• The DCP claimed that students were not lathi-charged, a most abominable lie
• Students expressed that they would voluntarily walk into the police vans, but the police still beat them up and shoved them into the vans
• It didn't stop there, as the students were beaten up even once they were inside the vans
• Lady students were beaten by male police officers; not just this - there were no lady constables in vans transporting lady students - a clear breach of the protocol
• As was recorded on camera, persons not in police uniform were involved in the lathi-charge, which is a criminal offence termed "assault and battery"
• Several of our protesters suffered injury, about 30-50 were grievously injured, while there were some who have suffered bleeding into joint cavities
  
• In addition to these, the police's devious tactics included dousing students, especially male students, with alcohol to later charge them with unruly behaviour under the influence of alcohol
• The police went to the extent of telling protesters that they would rather have the protesters commit suicide than blocking the road outside the Governor's house

The police is only proving that it's a ruthless, mindless pawn in the hands of the nation's politicians.

YFE salutes the indomitable spirit of all the protesters. YFE thanks all those who supported these innocents in any way.

Intimation of our reaction to this heinous act shall be put up in a subsequent update.

Thanks again,

YFE Mumbai.

Signature Campaign

We have launched a signature campaign to document public support for our cause i.e. to oppose any implementation of the 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which directly works to reduce the open merit seats in the country and, indirectly, divides the nation on regressive, caste-based lines. We, as members of the student community, urge the nation to raise its voice to express solidarity with this cause.

If you want to read or take this sign campaign into your community/college/colony:
Click on the link below and follow the instructions to download the file. Then, open it in Microsoft Word and take a print. Make photocopies and collect signatures.

Link to download the sign campaign: Click here
[In the event that the above download doesn't work, email YFE at yfemumbai@gmail.com and mention "I want the signature campaign" in the subject.]

NOTE: The signature campaign applies not only to students but also, essentially, to all citizens of India.

Looking forward to your support,
YFE Mumbai.

Youth For Equality's Stand

Dear All,

In the wake of the 93rd amendment to the constitution of India, it is now possible for the Central and State governments to enforce up to 49.5% reservation in public and private colleges across the country. On April 28th, 2006 the Congress-led Democratic Front government in Maharashtra has quietly approved a draft ordinance that will bring in a staggering 50% reservation in private professional institutions. It is only a matter of time before similar quotas are ENFORCED in colleges across the country and the corporate sector.

As members of the student community and the corporate sector a 49.5% quota has grave ramifications. Reservation undermines MERIT. In a nation where premier institutes have a 1% acceptance rate, a 49.5% quota will DENY meritorious candidates admission. Are we willing to sacrifice the aspirations of lakhs of students at the altar of what is nothing more than vote bank politics?

The Government of India is pursuing a policy of blatant appeasement that needs to be checked. It is time for PROACTIVE ACTION. We as the youth of India owe it to ourselves and more importantly this nation to make our voice heard. India is a democracy. It is only through a united front that we can bring about the change that the times demand.

Students from colleges across the country have decided to hold a nation-wide protest against the 93rd amendment. All those who oppose this move of the government are requested to show solidarity with these students. The protest will be apolitical and non-violent. Details will be forwarded to you soon.

How Can You Be a Part of This Movement?

1. Organize discussion forums effective protests against the government’s move.
2. Start a signature campaign against this move in your respective colleges/offices.
3. Voice your opinion through blogs, emails and letters to the editors of magazines and mark a copy to the mail id yfemumbai@gmail.com.
4. SPREAD THE WORD. Launch SMS and e-mail campaigns to direct people to http://youthforequality.blogspot.com.
5. Rally your alumni associations to express support for this cause.
6. NRIs may send letters of support to Indian Embassies across the globe.
7. The private sector is encouraged to express their solidarity with this movement and voice their opinion through industry organizations.

Please feel free to express your thoughts and opinions through an e-mail to yfemumbai@gmail.com. We’ll get in touch with you shortly.


YFE Mumbai