The Hindu (12.11.2024) Editorial Analysis

THE HINDU (12.11.
2024) EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
Counting right
A caste survey will not automatically mean higher quota for OBCs
Last week’s launch of a caste survey in Telangana by the Congress government is a step towards
fulfilling its 2023 Assembly poll promise. The survey may form the basis for enhancing the quantum of
reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), going by the party’s election manifesto. At present, 112
communities under five categories of BCs enjoy a 29% quota in education and employment, including
4% for socially and educationally Muslim BCs. The survey is being undertaken at a time when demand
for such an exercise at the all-India level is growing louder. In Tamil Nadu, an early mover in the area
of affirmative action for BCs, political parties have been raising the issue though divided on whether
the State or the Centre should conduct the exercise. In poll-bound Maharashtra, the Opposition Maha
Vikas Aghadi has promised a caste-based census. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had stated that
a caste census undertaken for the welfare of the downtrodden was fine but the BJP is cold to the idea.
The Union government had also said that it had no proposal to make caste data of the Socio Economic
and Caste Census 2011 public. In fact, in Karnataka, where most of the work on a socio-economic and
educational survey was done about 10 years ago, the survey report has yet to be made public despite
the submission of the final report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The idea of a caste-based survey is being floated as a prelude to the automatic lifting of the Supreme
Court’s ceiling of 50% in reservation for OBCs, SCs and STs. In June, the Patna High Court struck down
two Acts in Bihar, envisaging enhanced quantum in quota for BCs, Extremely BCs, SCs and STs in
education and government jobs. The Nitish Kumar government had carried out a caste survey prior to
enacting the laws. The High Court had emphasised the principle of adequate representation while
striking down the laws. In the case on 10.5% internal quota for Vanniyars within the Most BCs of Tamil
Nadu, the Supreme Court had upheld the Madras High Court’s conclusion that the reservation to the
community under the 2021 Act was based on “antiquated data”. Compilation and presentation of data
would not mechanically pave the way for any increase in the quantum, let alone breaching the 50%
cap. Analysis of features such as poverty, caste, occupation and location of residence should justify
any move to increase the quantum. Besides, as in Article 16(4), only those communities inadequately
represented in the public services can be given job quota. No political party should create an
impression that a caste census will lead to increased OBC reservation. The Centre should also limit the
ceiling of annual parental income in determining the creamy layer among OBCs. Else, only the most
advanced sections among BCs will continue to corner the benefits of reservation.
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MEANINGS OF DIFFICULT WORDS AND THEIR USAGE
1. Enhance (V): To improve the quality, amount, or strength of something.

[మ ంత ప ట]
Syn: Add to, Appreciate, Augment
Ant: Decrease, Diminish, Discourage
Eg: These scandals will not enhance the organizations reputation.
2. Downtrodden (Adj): Oppressed or treated badly by people in power. [అణ యబ న]

Syn: Oppressed, Exploited, Distressed
Ant: Rich, Wealthy, Respected, Happy
Eg: The struggle of the downtrodden masses is largely overlooked.
3. Cold (Adj): Without any emotion.

Syn: Unresponsive, Aloof, Frigid, Inhospitable
Ant: Excited, Friendly, Kind
Eg: His manner was cold and distant.
4. Float (V): To move or act without purpose. [ఏ ప ం ]

Syn: Drift, Wander, Amble, Hover
Ant: Plunge, Descend, Anchor, Dive
Eg: Since he lost his job, he’s just floated around doing nothing.
5. Envisage (V): To imagine or expect something good in the future.

[జరగ మం ం ఊ ం ట]
Syn: Consider, Imagine, Picture, Visualize
Ant: Disregard, Ignore
Eg: I don’t envisage working with him again.
6. Adequate (Adj): Sufficient for a specific need. [త నంత ]

Syn: Suitable, Satisfactory, Sufficient
Ant: Inadequate, Unsuitable, Unsatisfactory
Eg: Our hotel room wasn’t luxurious, but it was adequate.
7. Uphold (V): Confirm or support. [సమ ం ]

Syn: Confirm, Defend, Endorse
Ant: Attack, Deny, Oppose, Protest
Eg: 1. We have a duty to uphold the law.
2. The court of appeals upheld his conviction.
8. Compilation (N): Act of collecting information to arrange it in a book. [సంకలనం]

Syn: Assortment, Collection, Anthology, Assemblage
Ant: Abrogation, Annihilation, Breakdown
Eg: The CD is a compilation of greatest hits.
IDIOMS AND PHRASES:
1. Struck down: To make null and void. [ ట]
Eg: That program was struck down by the Supreme Court this summer and never took effect.
2. Carry out: Perform a task. [ ప ట, ట]
Eg: You must carry out my orders.
3. Pave the way: To make it possible. [ హదప ట]
Eg: Her findings paved the way for developing a new vaccine.
PARAPHRASING OF THE EDITORIAL IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE
The Congress-led government in Telangana has initiated a caste survey as part of its 2023 election
promise, aiming to use the data to potentially increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs).
Currently, Telangana has a 29% quota for BCs, which includes a 4% share for Muslim BCs. The move
aligns with a growing demand for caste-based surveys across India, with political parties in states like
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra also advocating for similar initiatives. While the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh has expressed conditional support for caste surveys, the BJP and the Union government have
shown reluctance, with no plans to release caste data from the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census.
In Karnataka, a completed socio-economic survey has yet to be disclosed, highlighting the complexities
and delays surrounding such efforts.
The push for caste-based surveys often raises hopes of bypassing the Supreme Court's 50% cap on
reservations for OBCs, SCs, and STs. However, recent legal precedents show the challenges of doing
so. For instance, the Patna High Court struck down laws in Bihar that sought to increase quotas,
emphasizing the need for adequate representation rather than merely meeting demands. Similarly,
the Supreme Court criticized the Tamil Nadu government for using outdated data when allocating an
internal quota for the Vanniyar community. Thus, even comprehensive data collection does not
guarantee an increase in reservation limits. Any proposal to change the reservation framework must
be backed by detailed analysis, considering factors like poverty, caste, occupation, and residence,
while also demonstrating inadequate representation in public services.
Political parties should be careful not to create unrealistic expectations about the outcomes of caste
surveys, as merely gathering data does not equate to automatic quota enhancements. Additionally,
the issue of the "creamy layer" within OBCs remains crucial. To ensure fairness, the government
should consider tightening income criteria to prevent the more privileged OBC sections from
monopolizing reservation benefits. This approach would help address inequalities within BC
communities and ensure that the most disadvantaged groups receive the intended support.
MATCH THE FOLLOWING:
1) Downtrodden a) Assortment
2) Envisage b) Endorse
3) Compilation c) Distressed
4) Uphold d) Consider
Key: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b.

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THE HINDU (12.11.

2024) EDITORIAL ANALYSIS

1. Enhance (V): To improve the quality, amount, or strength of something.

2. Downtrodden (Adj): Oppressed or treated badly by people in power. [అణ యబ న]

3. Cold (Adj): Without any emotion.

4. Float (V): To move or act without purpose. [ఏ ప ం ]

5. Envisage (V): To imagine or expect something good in the future.

6. Adequate (Adj): Sufficient for a specific need. [త నంత ]

7. Uphold (V): Confirm or support. [సమ ం ]

8. Compilation (N): Act of collecting information to arrange it in a book. [సంకలనం]

2. Carry out: Perform a task. [ ప ట, ట]

Eg: You must carry out my orders.

3. Pave the way: To make it possible. [ హదప ట]

PARAPHRASING OF THE EDITORIAL IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE

Key: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b.

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