The Reservationists

Politics sans all logic. The decisions taken in the interest of public are seldom for them and do not make any sense. The recent reservation policy, for instance is a classic example.

I was wondering as to where this can lead to in the future

Reservationists are politicians, without a conviction. I may be excused if I am using something like, conviction in relation to a politician. Lack of conviction in a man makes him a politician.

The Politicians today are suffering from AIDS of a different kind, Acute Improper Decisions Syndrome. These decisions are mainly taken during the afternoon nap or a nap during a press conference. These decisions will have a tremendous impact on the future generations.

Say ten years from now, after the implementation of the various reservation schemes from time to time.

Year: 2015.

“Good Evening, Sir, how may I help you,” asked the steward. A common welcome note in any Indian Restaurant.

“Well, I am looking for a table for three,” said the visitor.

“Do you have a reservation, sir,” asked the steward.

“Actually, my secretary called up and reserved a table,” said the visitor.

“That is wonderful sir. Can I have your reservation category number, sir,” asked the steward.

“What category?” asked the visitor.

The steward gave a dirty look and said, “Obviously, your caste, on which the reservation is made.”

“My caste, I am a forward caste.”

The steward gave a ‘more than a dirty’ look and said, “You need to wait for a week to have a table.”

“But those three tables are unoccupied” asserted the visitor.

“Sorry sir, they are reserved for OBC, SC and ST,” and the steward vanished into the thin crowd.

. . .

In a train, the TTE asks one of the passengers to get up from his seat.

“Why, I bought a ticket,” said the passenger.

“That is ok, but the seat on which you are sitting is a reserved seat, said the TTE.

“But the chart says it is vacant,” said the passenger.

“Yes it is vacant, but is reserved,” said the TTE.

“How can it be vacant and reserved at the same time?” enquired the passenger.

“It is reserved for ST, group M. You do not have the right sit on this seat,” said the TTE.
“But if you happen to represent ST (M), show me your caste credentials,” asked the TTE.

The man showed him his caste ID. “Sorry, you do not have a reservation, please stand and travel.”
The passenger stood up to continue his journey. Just then, another passenger vacated a seat, No 4. The TTE checked the list and said, “Ok, you can sit here.”

The passenger made himself comfortable in the seat No: 4.

After a while, three passengers walked into the coach and approached the TTE. The TTE came to the passenger at seat No: 4 and asked him to vacate.

“What you just made me sit here and then you are asking me to vacate. I presume this seat is reserved for Forward class.,” asked the passenger.

“Yes, you are right, this seat is reserved for FC, but I have to allot this to SC, group G, since there is a backlog to be cleared.” said the TTE.

The passenger reserved his feelings.

. . .

“What do you mean the tickets sold out, you still have a bunch with you,” asked an angry fan of a film star, trying to watch the movie on the first day at a theatre. “Sorry, they are reserved for ST audiences.”

. . .

A man was brought to a hospital in a critical condition. He met with a major road accident and had a serious head injury. He is bleeding profusely. The hospital staff put him in the casualty ward and awaiting the Administrative Officer to clear his admission. The relatives are anxiously waiting for the A.O. The AO turned up and said, going through the papers of the injured. “Oh, he is a Forward class, we cannot admit him now.”

The relative pleaded,”Kindly admit him, he is already bleeding and there is a heavy loss of blood.”

“I cannot help you. There are no beds readily available now, and I am not sure when I can accommodate him. Try another hospital,” said the AO.

“But the time is running out, we cannot shift him to another hospital, he may die in the transit. Please do something, requested the relatives. The condition of the patient is getting worse.

Just then, a patient is brought to the hospital. “Sir, he has slight pain in the neck, he needs to be observed for 24 hours. Please admit him.”

Looking at the papers, “Ok, take him to the ICU and admit him at once”

The relatives questioned his action, “how can you leave a critical injured patient like this and admit a patient with slight pain in his neck? Don’t you understand who is more critical to be attended?”

“I understand. However, the rules do not. The patient who is sent to the ICU is a reserved patient. He falls under OBC. We still have five beds vacant for them, but the beds for FC are all full.”

In the meantime the injured patient died.

Long Live Reservations. Long Live Reservationists.

________________________________________________________________________