Michael Yhome
The concept of Women Reservation misses out the very institutional structure of our society. A compromise of conscience that fails to understand and address the greatest perpetual injustice committed by humanity – “The Inequality of Men and Women”. A palliative approach of insincere redressal which is a blasphemy of the Ideals it seeks to realise. Wolfgang Pauli’s, “It is not even wrong” aptly describes the issue of Women Reservation.
The proponents of this cause have championed Reservation for the effect of development, empowerment and equality of women vis-à-vis men. However, before it premises itself on the realization of lofty ideals, Reservation as an entity must justify its existence. Practiced since the dawn of civilization, reservation in subtle ways is given as an act of kindness. In the present, Reservation is a form of affirmative action through positive discrimination – on the grounds of Inequality or Differences which warrant representation- Justifiably. To reason women reservation on the former is to give tacit acceptance to women’s inferiority. To give reason to the later will invalidate the union of Men and Women. An unnecessary division in an already divided society. The purpose of Reservation is to bring about equality, a level playing field between Men and Women. If that be – Is Non-Reservation the cause of such Inequality? Reservation is akin to massaging the head, putting ointment and having an aspirin with the audacious hope of curing headache caused by brain cancer. What of the number 33 and its percent? Does it mean 1 men = 3 women. If equality is really a desire for the giver and the receiver, wouldn’t it be ideal to have 50 percent. A historical wrong of this magnitude surely needs a better answer.
Women’s Right, not Women Reservation. A Right that is inherent, inalienable to the very soul of Women as much as it is Men’s. The issue that needs to be addressed is – Identity and Property. A woman becomes a man’s wife and by default her identity is defined to the Man’s surname, Village, Tribe, Race, Nationality till Faith and God. Identity is a man-made construct, subservient to the truth of Justice. Whatever may be the chaos of identity, it cannot be traded for Equality, which is God’s own.
Of property – according to patriarchy – everything pales in irrationality before it. The love of parents for daughter and son dictated by customs and tradition, unequal and unjust.
The world has justified many wrongs practices- slavery, religious persecution, caste system, Sati et al. Yet the undying spirit of human goodness has prevailed over each wrong, for fate conspires with the Right for Eternity. Women’s Right is absolute over Identity and Property. There is nothing to be given or taken, least of all, a convenience of Reservation.
A great Revolution is due. And such will begin by removing the Learned Helplessness of Women.
Deputy SP, Cyber Crime, Police Headquarters, Kohima
