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The Nation Divided

Examining the profound socio-political upheaval sparked by the Mandal Commission's implementation in 1990.

Background ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Impact ๐Ÿ“ข

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Background

The Mandate for Equity

The Mandal Commission was established in January 1977 by the Janata Party government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Its primary objective was to identify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) within India. The commission was tasked with examining the question of reservations and quotas in government employment and educational institutions as a means to address historical caste-based discrimination and promote social equity.[1]

Key Recommendations

Chaired by the eminent B. P. Mandal, the commission conducted extensive research and submitted its comprehensive report to the President of India on December 30, 1980. The report's central recommendation was the implementation of a 27% reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in all government jobs and public sector undertakings. This recommendation, when combined with existing quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), would bring the total reservation percentage to 49.5%, aiming to ensure greater representation for historically marginalized communities.

Implementation and Reaction

After a decade of deliberation, Prime Minister V. P. Singh's government decided to implement the Mandal Commission's recommendations in August 1990. This decision, intended to advance social justice, immediately ignited widespread and intense protests across India. The implementation aimed to reserve 27% of jobs under the central government for OBCs, a move that became the focal point of significant public dissent.

The Mandal Commission

Genesis and Purpose

Formally known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, the Mandal Commission was constituted on January 1, 1977. Its mandate was to investigate the criteria for defining "socially and educationally backward classes" and to recommend measures for their advancement, primarily through reservations in public employment. The commission utilized eleven socio-economic and educational indicators to ascertain backwardness.

Findings and Quotas

The commission's report, submitted in 1980, identified numerous communities as backward and recommended a 27% reservation quota for OBCs. This was intended to address the historical disadvantages faced by these groups and promote their inclusion in public life. The total reservation ceiling, including existing quotas for SCs and STs, was proposed at 49.5% of available government positions.

Political Implementation

The implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations was a significant political undertaking. Prime Minister V. P. Singh's government officially adopted the 27% reservation policy for OBCs in government jobs in August 1990. This decisive action, aimed at fulfilling a key aspect of the government's social justice agenda, immediately triggered nationwide protests, marking a critical juncture in India's socio-political landscape.

The Protests

Nationwide Uprising

The implementation of the Mandal Commission's reservation policy ignited widespread protests, primarily driven by anti-reservation sentiments. These demonstrations were a direct response to the allocation of government jobs based on caste, which opponents argued perpetuated caste divisions and potentially hindered meritocracy. The protests saw significant participation from students and various social groups across the country.

Disruption and Impact

The protests led to severe disruptions across India, including the closure of roads, highways, transportation services, government offices, schools, and businesses. These actions, often characterized by methods like bandhs (strikes), hartals (shutdowns), and dharnas (sit-ins), were widely reported in national and local newspapers, often accompanied by photographs documenting the events. Incidents of public property destruction and intimidation were also reported.

The protests were not monolithic; they involved various forms of civil disobedience. While police intervention helped prevent the complete paralysis of essential services and limited the duration and geographical spread of some strikes, the movement gained considerable traction. The visibility of these protests significantly boosted the popularity of the Mandal Commission report and galvanized the political consolidation of OBC castes. This political mobilization played a crucial role in strengthening regional political parties and challenging the dominance of established national parties like the Indian National Congress and the BJP.

Political Consequences

The escalating political cost and the inability to effectively manage the widespread protests contributed significantly to the political climate of the time. These factors were among the key reasons cited for the eventual acceptance of the resignation of the then Prime Minister, V. P. Singh, and his Janata Dal government. The protests thus had direct and profound consequences on the national political leadership.

Self-Immolations

Rajiv Goswami's Sacrifice

A deeply impactful aspect of the protests was the act of self-immolation. Rajiv Goswami, a student at Deshbandhu College, Delhi University, became the first student to attempt self-immolation in October 1990. His protest was a direct response to Prime Minister V. P. Singh's implementation of the Mandal Commission's reservation policies.[4]

Sparking a Movement

Goswami's drastic action resonated powerfully and tragically, inspiring a series of similar self-immolation attempts by students across the country. This wave of protests created a formidable movement against the job reservations advocated by the Mandal Commission. Although Goswami suffered severe burns (approximately 70%) and endured them for about a decade before his eventual death, his initial act galvanized significant opposition to the reservation policy.

Political Representation

Following his protest, Rajiv Goswami was elected President of the Delhi University Students' Union, indicating the potent political sentiment his actions had stirred. The movement fueled by these protests contributed to the political consolidation of OBC castes, which subsequently bolstered the influence of regional political parties and provided an alternative to the established national political forces.

Cultural Resonance

Depictions in Media

The significant social and political impact of the Mandal Commission protests has been reflected in popular culture. The events served as a backdrop for narrative storytelling, capturing the complexities and tensions of the era.

  • The 2010 television series Armanon Ka Balidaan-Aarakshan explored the societal divisions and conflicts arising from the protests.[5]
  • The 2022 film Hurdang, directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, is also set against the backdrop of these significant protests, further illustrating their lasting cultural imprint.

References

Source Material

The information presented on this page is derived from the following sources:

  1. India Today. "1990: Caste Cleft". India Today. 2 July 2007.
  2. Ramaiah, A. "Identifying Other Backward Classes". Economic and Political Weekly. 6 June 1992. (Archived PDF)
  3. The Tribune newspaper. 1 September 1990.
  4. PTI. "Pioneer of anti-Mandal stir Rajiv Goswami dead". The Tribune. 24 February 2004.
  5. IANS. "New TV serial shows both sides of Mandal divide". NDTV. 26 November 2010.

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References

References

  1.  The Tribune newspaper, 1 September 1990, Chandigarh, India.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Mandal Commission protests of 1990 Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is synthesized from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on the Mandal Commission protests of 1990, and may not encompass all nuances or represent the most current perspectives.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein does not constitute legal, political, sociological, or any other form of professional counsel. The Mandal Commission protests and the issue of reservations are complex and sensitive topics with significant historical and ongoing societal implications in India. Readers are strongly advised to consult primary sources, academic research, and expert analyses for a comprehensive understanding. No action should be taken based solely on the information presented here.

The creators of this page disclaim responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information.