Not making the grade

The editorial No marks for merit (April 11) recommends that people laugh at Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens.

The editorial No marks for merit (April 11) recommends that people laugh at Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens. Higher education is the only leveller in a society marred by caste-based discrimination and the reservation system is one way to ensure that it remains so.
Aparna P Ramachandran
Delhi

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II
The exclusion of the creamy layer from reservations for OBCs in higher education is a matter of concern. The fact is that caste discrimination had prevented backward classes from prospering and developing. In this context, Article 14 reveals that giving reservation is just and does not amount to unfair or unequal treatment. But 60 years have passed since Independence and there is no positive outcome.
SM Fasiullah
Delhi

III
It is strange that the HRD Minister should describe the SC verdict as historic. Is it proper to freeze a community by calling them OBCs for purposes of vote-gathering? Congress has resorted to this quota sop to hide its poor performance. The poor of whatever caste will see through this ugly politics one day.
Deepa
Junagadh

Olympian test
Seema Goswami in An Olympian echo (April 11) has made some observations about the similarities between the Berlin and Beijing Olympics. Taking a stand for justice and truth even against a stronger adversary, without thinking of our own interest, would suggest that India has not lost its moral fibre. It is sad that we have turned a blind eye to China’s undemocratic ways.
Anju Gupta
Aligarh