NASSCOM Chief against reservation on caste basis

Bangalore, June 8 (UNI) NASSCOM President Kiran Karnik today expressed protest against reservation on the basis of caste and said it need to be changed as it led to historical disadvantage.

Talking to UNI here, he said ''Reservation is a complex issue...the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, a Bill on which was passed in Parliament, will have historical disadvantage and need to be corrected. Many of us hesitate to caste-based reservation as it will lead to a permanent division in the Society.'' He said ''It does not mean that we should not do something for the disadvantaged. Why cannot we use some other measure--it may either be economic measures or gender measure. There has been historical discrimination against women,'' he pointed out.

Admitting that certain measures need to be taken to uplift the downtrodden in the society, he suggested that it should start from school level. ''If it is thought that it will be a long process, then short-term measures like providing special training can be introduced to improve the standard.'' He said that though there were some arguments to the effect that in the South reservation system existed for the past several years, it is only at school level and the result is that no discrimination is shown towards meritorious students based on caste.

It is acceptable. ''But when we have it on a large level, the quality of education will suffer,'' he explained.

''Taking all these into consideration, we need to take measures to improve the standard. Weightage for admission is good, but reservation on caste basis is not a welcome move,'' he added.

To a question, Mr Karnik ruled out the possibility of industries introducing reservation and said ''In industry it is not productive and also not a wise move. Industries are competing globally and we want best people for the job. We cannot introduce reservation as it will affect the performance of the industry.

''If at all reservation is imposed on industries, NASSCOM will oppose it totally,'' he added.

Mr Karnik said ''Those who indulge in discrimination on the basis of caste and gender should be punished.'' UNI MSP RG TS1600