Date:14/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/14/stories/2008041454891000.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

OBC quota

The Supreme Court judgment upholding the law providing 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs in Central higher educational institutions is a victory for the progressive forces. Unfortunately, there is also a section that opposes reservation on the ground that it compromises merit and will affect the development of the nation in the long run. No nation or society can ever develop unless its deprived sections are uplifted. In India, the SCs, the STs and the OBCs together constitute a majority and no development can be achieved if they are excluded.

Dhananjay Tripathi,

New Delhi

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Through the ages, the backward sections have been subject to a well-knit, system-supported suppression. They were not even in a position to dream of influencing society, even though their capacity to produce goods and services was as good as that of the so-called forward communities. Thanks to the Supreme Court verdict, boys and girls belonging to the backward sections can now take part in nation-building activities.

K.C. Ramudu,

Kurnool