Samyak Samudre
Introduction
It is important to know why equal opportunity is important to maintain equality in society. In this article, I have explained that a class that is not equal in the social system and is exploited will need some special rights to maintain equality in society, and it is unnecessary to oppose reservation.
Special rights are important for maintaining equality
Providing safeguards or special rights is important to maintain equality. If people are not born equal and do not get equal opportunities by birth, if some people are privileged and some are not privileged, then how will equality be maintained in society? [1] Should this rule of inequality be the rule of life? [2] The answer is no. Because if people are given equal opportunities, then equality can be maintained. Therefore, equal opportunities for all or special rights for those who need them is important to sustain equality.
Some people argue that because survival of the fittest [3] is important for society, granting equality to all is a bad concept. But even the weakest can be the best for society if they are given equal opportunities. “What society wants is best.” [4]
Equal opportunity is important
It is unnecessary to oppose the reservation of SCs because the caste system exists in society and these castes are not equal in terms of privilege. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar says in his book Annihilation of Caste: “In one of its aspects, it divides men into separate communities. In its second aspect, it places these communities in a graded order, one above the other in social status.” [5] That is why we need equal representation.
Critics of reservation argue that reservation is not a good concept. Because knowledge and merit are important, only deserving people should be given change. This is absurd; in actuality, the notion that intelligent individuals are only born into a specific caste is not always accurate. Anyone can become intelligent, wise, and even great. All he needs are equal opportunities to do this.
Another false view is that reservation gives opportunity to the undeserving candidate who does not score marks. In reality, knowledge does not come from marks. Knowledge comes from experience. Prof. John Dewey says: “Knowledge is not just something which we are now conscious of, but consists of the dispositions we consciously use in understanding what now happens.” [6]
So it is unnecessary to oppose rights that are given to those who need them. If any class is exploited in the social system, then it will need special rights to move ahead. And that is how equality will be sustained.
Notes:
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Ambedkar, Babasaheb: The Buddha And His Dhamma, Book 3 Part V: Dhamma to be saddhamma must promote equality between man and man
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Ambedkar, Babasaheb: The Buddha And His Dhamma, Book 3 Part V: Dhamma to be saddhamma must promote equality between man and man
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The idea of Survival of fittest is given by Charles Darwin and doctrine of social Darwinism is given by Herbert Spencer
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Ambedkar, Babasaheb: The Buddha And His Dhamma, Book 3 Part V: Dhamma to be saddhamma must promote equality between man and man
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Ambedkar, Babasaheb: Annihilation of caste, XXI
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Dewey, John: Democracy And Education, Chapter- XXV
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Samyak Samudre is from Maharashtra and pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree. He has keen interest in politics, philosophy, sociology and anthropology.
