I.A.S. Officers’ Anti-Constitutional Act

Recently, the Prime Minister conferred with 48 top-ranking secretaries to the Union Government. Three sensitive but vital questions were raised, of which one deserves attention. Referring to the issue of reservations in public services, some IAS officers said (as reported by Inder Malhotra of the Times of India) that while reservations at the point of entry were unexceptionable and must continue, the extension of the principle to promotions was creating difficulties and lowering standard, especially in departments such as the Railways, which were answerable for the safety of the passengers. Though the PM succeeded in hedging the question, it is essential that we ponder over the remarks of the highest officials running the Govt of India. While we appreciate their concern shown for the public and their welfare; the very genuiness of this concern is questionable. Those who were entrusted with the task of implementing the SC/ST reservation policy have now expressed doubts about the very principle of reservations which is provided in the Constitution itself. And Justice Krishna Iyer’s judgment in the Supreme Court has upheld reservations in promotions also. Reservations are meant to lift the down-trodden, he ruled. But the IAS officers opposition means that the upper class-caste prejudices have made them question the Constitution. That means their stand is unconstitutional. Can the creatures of the Constitution question the capabilities of their own creation? Does it not amount to an anti-national act? This step-motherly attitude towards the dalit community must be stopped.