‘Merit vs quota’ debate has disadvantaged SC, ST, OBCs. Time to expose the ‘meritwalas’

Examining the nepotistic practices of the ‘meritorious’, we see how their self-centred strategies have undermined the genuine merit of India's diverse castes and tribes.

Illustration: Soham Sen | ThePrint

At a recent meeting of first-generation learners affiliated with Eklavya in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, a remarkable young first-generation learner belonging to a deprived community in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, shared his inspiring journey of studying at a prestigious institution in Mumbai. He seemed thrilled as he cherished the progress he made by pursuing higher education in urban India.

However, there was an underlying frustration as he spoke about the tacit casteism he experienced in his academic journey. Right from the orientation when the university administration singled him and other students out for their Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to the convocation ceremony where a special photo was taken for the SC/ST cell, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being treated differently. For the administration, it was a regular practice, but for the first-generation learner, it was the lived experience of a stigmatised community identified as ‘beneficiaries’ of the reservation system.

Throughout their academic years, many of these learners experience implicit forms of discrimination. It does not need any research to claim that these discriminatory encounters influence students adversely and affect their mental well-being. Labelled as ‘reserved students’, their “merit” is discussed all over the campus in a derogatory manner. While tackling the barriers faced by India’s first-generation learners, we must consider disposing of the misleading ‘merit vs reservation’ debate in education and employment.

Caste scholars belonging to historically deprived communities and so-called ‘upper-caste’ intellectuals both hold contrary beliefs concerning what counts as merit. While it may appear that they support reservation, they maintain the dominant narrative that says ‘reservation compromises merit’.

But the argument is not about establishing an independent system to evaluate the merits of individuals from so-called meritorious communities. Rather, the merit debate is more about the stigmatisation and derogatory labelling of marginalised communities simply on their reservation status. We must challenge the narratives that pit merit against social justice-oriented policies.

Another name for ‘merit’

Contrary to popular belief in India, the concept of merit, often considered a measure of success, is actually a form of nepotism. It has enabled certain communities and families to hold significant positions of power and institutional control. These nepotistic groups have managed to disperse their members across various sectors and institutions, maintaining their dominance in the name of self-proclaimed merit. As a result, individuals and communities widely called “meritwalas” have stigmatised reserved category students.

This is an untold story in India, primarily because the meritwalas have never questioned their own merit. For any educational reform, this is an important reality that guides the mission toward creating a more equitable society that values diverse talent and provides equal opportunities to the disadvantaged.

In India, we often witness the dominance of certain groups in various areas — cultural, economic, and otherwise. The ground reality is staggering. SC, ST, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) faculty members make up only 6 per cent of the total faculty in the various Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and 9 per cent in the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs). In a 2023 article published in the digital science journal Nature, Ankur Paliwal revealed that about 98 per cent of academics employed in the top five IITs belong to the upper caste. This points to a clear lack of representation and opportunities for historically marginalised communities in these esteemed institutions.

Have you ever questioned how traditional skilled artisan and worker communities have been deliberately sidelined, and how science and technology have become an endeavour of  ‘meritorious’, privileged communities?

Perpetuating power & privilege

When we closely examine the nepotistic practices of the ‘meritorious’ individuals, we see how their self-centred strategies have undermined the genuine merit of India’s diverse castes and tribes, which have been pioneers in the field of science in our country. Nepotism, favouring close friends or family members in opportunities perpetuates privilege and leads to inequality. Simultaneously, merit is portrayed as an objective measure of one’s abilities and qualifications and is given high importance in educational institutions and recruitment processes. It appears that the argument of merit often becomes repressive and demeaning, serving to reinforce the dominance of individuals from self-proclaimed meritorious communities. We need to question and address this irrational stance.

As a consequence, marginalised communities suffer from misguided notions of merit. Their true potential is hindered by the social barriers they encounter daily, along with limited access to quality education and opportunities. This disadvantage prevents them from competing on an equal footing, and their actual abilities remain unrecognised and underdeveloped.

In his book The Tyranny of Merit (2020), Michael Sandel argues that while meritocracy looks to provide equal opportunity for all, it isn’t always the case. Despite its claim to be fair, meritocracy has the potential to unwittingly worsen existing disparities rather than effectively reduce them. In India, we must question whether the current system of meritocracy truly levels the playing field for all or if it perpetuates advantages for some and disadvantages for others. We must fight to improve the meritocracy notion.

Throughout history, merit has been manipulated as a propaganda tool to oppose social justice programmes like reservation. It attempts to cast doubt on the struggles and achievements of historically marginalised groups, wrongly portraying their successes as undeserved. On the contrary, social justice policies aim to correct past injustices and create a more inclusive society. It is crucial for us to seriously acknowledge the widespread influence of nepotism. By doing so, we can dismantle oppressive systems that hinder social justice and work toward establishing a more equitable educational and economic structure.

Let us recognise and value the authentic merit present across India’s diverse castes and tribes while ensuring that first-generation learners have equal opportunities to showcase their true abilities. This way, we can move towards a fairer and more just society that values the potential and contributions of all individuals, regardless of their caste.

To address concerns like the dominance of merit in the traditional sense and nepotism, India must prioritise social justice by implementing measures such as reservation in a dynamic manner and embracing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) approach. These steps would help India move away from favouring a few self-serving communities and create a more inclusive society that offers equal opportunities for everyone. Reservation policies have proven effective in addressing historical injustices and ensuring representation for underrepresented communities. Similarly, adopting a DEI strategy aligns with global best practices and has shown its effectiveness in fostering inclusive environments and driving positive change.

By implementing these approaches, India can break down the barriers faced by first-generation learners and establish a fair and just educational and job system that benefits all individuals, regardless of their background. This way, we can work toward a more inclusive society that values diversity and promotes genuine merit and talent.

Raju Kendre is the founder of Eklavya India Foundation, which works towards the democratisation of higher education. He is also a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, London. He tweets @RajuKendree. Pratiksha Khandare is Research Assistant at Eklavya India Foundation. Views are personal.

(Edited by Humra Laeeq)