Is Reservation the "Hunger Games" of Indian Society?

Once upon a time, certain sections of people were treated horrible and were usually frowned upon for reasons that are illogical. Even today there are places where they continued to be treated unfair just because they belong to a certain religion or caste. But the situation is a lot better than how it was before. It took enormous efforts from social activists who went to extreme lengths in fighting for the rights of the deprived. After the independence, the constitution was framed keeping these issues in mind and many laws were passed to improve their situation. Reservation system arose as a result.

My sister who is extremely passionate in medical profession has to attempt the competitive exams multiple times so that she could get admitted into a college. Had there been no reservation, she would have made it in the first or second attempt. She was not the reason for her failures. It was the system that failed her. I have never had the benefit of the reservation system. I have seen a lot of people who have had the benefit of the system, but didn’t the serve the purpose. They were a lot richer than my family and were treated with respect in the society. If they were eligible for reservation, so was I as they didn’t lack anything that I had.

Politicians are milking from the system that’s almost obsolete now. Groups turn aggressive demanding reservation for themselves and the government gives in as they want to continue winning. I don’t understand the logic behind the percentages assigned for the castes for a seat allotment in a college or securing a job in a government organization. At the end of the day, less deserving individuals in terms of merit end up doing jobs, leaving the hard worked ones curse their fate. Is this the right thing? It is not about restoring balance in the society. It more sounds like getting back at people who were consider elite once upon a time.

Hunger Games ends with Katniss killing Coin for suggesting continuing Hunger Games with the children of Capitol. Now, how many think Katniss did the right thing? Should she have instead encouraged Coin’s thoughts? Comparing this with our reservation system might sound exaggerating, but it is not quite impossible to relate. Most of us would support Katniss’s actions. Then why don’t we support eradication of the system?