Reverse, oops, reserve gear

What a pity! The self-proclaimed messiahs of the minorities in our Parliament did not have the numbers to stop the "discriminating, Manuwadi" bill for giving reservation to women in the highest decision making body of the country.

Poor chaps, apart from licking their wounds inflicted by being sidelined after the two principal parties joined issue, bore the brunt of the media for their "anti-women" stand. In fact, what they have been doing was for the cause of the lesser privileged among the fairer sex.

I have never been a supporter of reservation, of any kind, of any magnitude, in any field, as I believe it breeds nothing but incompetence. However, I don't want to delve into the merits of caste-based reservation, especially that for the Scheduled Castes. Yet, I would like to ask the "well-wishers" of Muslim women what they've done in their respective tenures as chief ministers of the two largest north Indian states.

Most of you would agree that nothing changed, at least for the better, for women, when our friends took the reins of power. And now, out of power, out of favour from the electorate, their love for the minority community (read Muslims) has suddenly cropped up. Whatever, I only have to tell them that please stop begging reservation for Muslims.

The Sachar Committee documented, officially, the pitiable condition of Muslims in the country. As a consequence, the Prime Minister announced a dedicated ministry for the welfare of minorities. What has it achieved, so far. Nothing. Reservation, I am sure, would meet the same fate. It would only go to intensify lethargy and a regressive attitude.

I, for one, would want the Muslims to stand up on their own feet, fight for their right and work hard for it. If they really want to become the "first class citizens" of this country, they have to earn it. For our politician friends, it would only be too proficient if they come up with concrete policies and programmes for the alleviation of the poor of this country, wherever they are, whatever their creed, caste and religion is. There is no law that stops the poor and downtrodden from making most of the benefits of the schemes meant for their welfare. But, the problem is that they are far and few.

As far as Muslims are concerned, yes, their pathetic participation in the political space of this country needs immediate attention. But, I believe it would require a lot more than reservation to help the situation. A community ghettoised by the same politicos will not come out of its cocoon unless the general health of the community improves.

Dear Yadavs, I think a simple Crocin would do. Surgery can wait.

Ali Yasir is Chief Sub-Editor, MiD DAY Delhi