The Mandal Commission was a significant initiative by the Indian government to address the issue of backwardness among certain communities, particularly in the context of education and employment. Here are the key points regarding the Mandal Commission and its aftermath:
- Formation of the Mandal Commission:
- In 1978, the central government appointed the Mandal Commission, chaired by Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal, to identify and recommend measures for the upliftment of backward classes. This was the second commission of its kind since India’s independence.
- Definition of “Backward Classes”:
- The Mandal Commission categorized “backward classes” as primarily “backward castes,” assuming that these groups belonged to the lower strata of the caste hierarchy. The commission conducted surveys to substantiate its findings.
- Recommendations:
- The commission recommended a reservation of 27 percent of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for backward classes. It also suggested implementing land reforms to improve the conditions of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- Implementation of Recommendations:
- In 1990, the National Front government, led by V.P. Singh, decided to implement one of the key recommendations of the Mandal Commission, which pertained to reservations for OBCs in central government jobs and its undertakings.
- Protests and Opposition:
- The decision to implement the Mandal Commission’s recommendation faced widespread protests from various political parties and the public. Many opposed the caste-based reservation system, arguing that unlike Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), there was no conclusive evidence of backwardness among OBCs.
- Social Division and Identity Politics:
- The implementation of reservations for OBCs led to the emergence of caste-based associations and a resurgence of caste identities. This decision created social divisions and heightened caste consciousness among different communities.
- Increased Reservation Quota:
- With the inclusion of reservations for OBCs, the overall reservation quota in education and employment increased to 49.5 percent.
- Supreme Court Verdict:
- The implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations was challenged in the Supreme Court. The court upheld the decision in what became known as the “Indira Sawhney case.”
- Political Ramifications:
- The V.P. Singh government did not gain significant political advantage from this move. Within a year, it lost its majority in parliament after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew its support over the Ayodhya issue.
The Mandal Commission’s recommendations had far-reaching implications on Indian society, politics, and the discourse on affirmative action and social justice.
Mandal Commission’s recommendations and their impact on Indian society. Here’s a summary of the key points you raised:
- Critique of Caste-Based Criteria:
- You acknowledge that while the Mandal Commission’s recommendations are crucial for democratizing Indian society, there is criticism regarding the use of caste/community criteria to assess backwardness. You emphasize the deep-rooted connections between backward communities and their social, economic, and cultural practices.
- Economic Criteria vs. Caste Criteria:
- You highlight the ongoing debate between those advocating for economic criteria over caste criteria for reservations. You suggest that both perspectives fail to fully appreciate the complexities of the commission’s approach.
- Undemocratic Nature of Indian Society:
- You argue that the undemocratic nature of Indian society is not only related to restrictions on Fundamental Rights but is deeply intertwined with the economic and political structure. You assert that without access to basic amenities and resources, Fundamental Rights cannot be fully enjoyed.
- Socio-Economic Structure and Power Dynamics:
- You shed light on the concentration of land and industry in the hands of a few, which perpetuates economic disparities. The caste system further exacerbates social and economic inequalities, limiting opportunities for marginalized groups.
- Reservation of Jobs and Educational Seats:
- You emphasize that the primary focus of the debate surrounding the Mandal Commission’s recommendations has been on the reservation of jobs and educational seats. However, you stress that this alone cannot address the underlying issues of backwardness and poverty.
- Addressing the Root Causes of Backwardness:
- You assert that true progress in combating backwardness requires addressing the foundational issues at the village level, including manual labor, illiteracy, and lack of basic resources like drinking water.
- Importance of Land Reforms and Mobilization:
- You argue that radical land reforms necessitate the active participation and mobilization of people across caste lines. This mobilization, you contend, is critical for achieving true democratization and preventing the distortion of recommendations for the benefit of a few.
- Limitations of Reservations:
- While reservations are viewed as necessary to counter upper-caste monopolies, you acknowledge their limitations. Slow economic growth and limited job opportunities for the educated population pose challenges.
- Comprehensive Approach to Fighting Backwardness:
- You advocate for a broader approach encompassing social and economic dimensions. You emphasize that resolving these fundamental issues requires collective efforts and people’s struggles.
National Commission for Backward Classes. Here is a summary of the key points:
- Establishment of the Commission:
- The National Commission for Backward Classes was established in accordance with the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, following the directives of the Supreme Court.
- Responsibilities and Powers:
- The Commission is vested with the responsibility and authority to review requests for inclusion in the lists of backward classes, as well as address complaints related to over-inclusion or under-inclusion.
- Evaluation Process:
- During the evaluation process, certain communities that were included in one list but not in the other, as well as those absent from both lists, were considered. Some requests were accepted, while others were rejected based on the Commission’s assessment.
- Advisory Role and Compliance:
- The Commission provides recommendations to the government, and in most cases, the government is obliged to comply with these recommendations. The law stipulates that the advice of the Commission is ordinarily binding on the government, a principle affirmed by the Supreme Court.
- Recent Development for Constitutional Status:
- There have been demands for granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. This would enable the Commission to address the grievances of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in a manner similar to how the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes operate. Unlike the latter two, which are constitutional bodies, the National Commission for Backward Classes is currently a statutory entity.
FAQs
Q: What is the Mandal Commission?
A: The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), was established in India in 1979 to identify the socially or educationally backward classes of India and recommend measures to ameliorate their conditions.
Q: Why was the Mandal Commission formed?
A: The Mandal Commission was formed to address the issue of social inequality and backwardness among certain sections of Indian society, particularly in terms of education and employment opportunities. It aimed to identify and provide assistance to marginalized communities that were historically disadvantaged.
Q: What were the key recommendations of the Mandal Commission?
A: The Mandal Commission recommended that a certain percentage of government jobs and educational opportunities should be reserved for members of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which constituted a significant portion of India’s population. It suggested a reservation of 27% of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for OBCs.
Q: What was the impact of the Mandal Commission recommendations?
A: The Mandal Commission recommendations led to significant debates and protests across India, particularly from groups opposed to caste-based reservations. However, the implementation of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations resulted in increased representation of OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions, contributing to their socio-economic empowerment.
Q: Is the Mandal Commission still relevant today?
A: The relevance of the Mandal Commission continues to be debated in contemporary Indian society. While some argue that caste-based reservations are necessary to address historical injustices and promote social equity, others criticize them as perpetuating caste divisions and hindering meritocracy. However, the Mandal Commission remains a significant landmark in India’s efforts towards social justice and affirmative action.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
