Delhi after a long time has a government with such a huge mandate that, if it so wishes, can bring in legislations beneficial for the proper management of a gigantic country like India.

Many of the important laws that were passed in the last 64 years were subject to so many changes and amendments that their basic aims got lost. The reservation policy of the government for instance underwent changes several times and its structure was widened so much as to include many of the other so-called beneficiaries from Hindu backward castes. Thus the very purpose of the legislation to succor the oppressed class (Dalits) was lost.

Every citizen for instance has the right to job in the Indian state. Yet there is a section of the society that fears, due to age-old prejudices against it, deprivation of this fundamental right unless it has reservation in jobs.

But when a law was passed to have reservation for the backward Dalits, it was distorted to extend its benefit to “other beneficiaries” from the backward Hindu castes, who did not come under the purview of “oppressed.” Thus it shrank the benefits for the Dalits. In any case the present reservation policy is flawed and highly discriminating as the 15 percent Muslim population has also been kept out, which is a dishonesty on part of politicians who are engaged in appeasing various sections of the Hindu majority community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an absolute majority in Parliament and is backed by Hindutva forces. Therefore this is the best opportunity that this fundamental and huge bottleneck created in state matters due to inconsistencies and overindulgence of Hindu order, should be removed by amending the constitution regarding reservation laws, as mentioned above.

Let not the message go out that Modi and his party are interested only in harassing the Muslims (by raking up contentious issues like Ram Temple, Article 370 of Constitution, Common Civil Code etc) and is not interested in rectifying the gross injustices inflicted by those under the influence of radical ideology.

Unless the present government takes this issue seriously there is no hope of any progress for India.