Q. Consider the following statements:
1.The Indian Constitution provides for proportionate reservation based on population.
2.Ambedkar advocated for reservation policies that address economic and educational empowerment for all historically disadvantaged groups, irrespective of caste and religion.
3.Ambedkar also called for reservations in the private sector.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanation –
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Indian Constitution does not support proportionate reservation based on population. While it does provide for reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), these reservations are not strictly based on population proportions but rather on social and educational backwardness. The Constitution supports affirmative action for certain sections of society, but it does not endorse proportionate representation based on population.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision for reservations aimed to uplift marginalized communities by providing them with opportunities for social, economic, and educational advancement. While his primary focus was on addressing caste-based inequalities, he emphasized the importance of inclusive policies that benefit all disadvantaged groups, regardless of their religious affiliations. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a strong advocate for extending reservations to the private sector to address discrimination and ensure equitable opportunities for marginalized communities. He believed that discrimination was more rampant in the private sector than in the public sector, and thus, reservations should be extended to private enterprises as well.
Source: The Hindu
