Dinner with the Meenas

I went for a meeting today. I had no idea what for, but I still went. My senior asked me if I wanted to join him as the organizers were looking for representatives from Sikkim. My initial response was a straight no, but then the curious cat inside me reluctantly agreed. It was a good thing I went. The exposure was much needed during times of extreme relaxation.

A quick Google from my phone, while sipping on a glass of coke, helped me understand the gravity of the situation to be discussed earlier tonight. The issue was related to 7.5% job reservation for STs in capital territory. While the Constitution guaranteed this right to the tribal communities under Article 342(1) since 1955, this facility had been recently stopped after an order was passed by the Supreme court. The fear was that since such a feat had sidelined STs from filling government posts in the capital, it would have a trickle down effect on education and other sectors, sooner or later.

It was a genuine meeting wherein one got to mix with some top notch bureaucrats and member of parliaments as well. Although all of them were from the tribal community, I felt one thing was missing. None of them represented the tribals I knew. I don't mean on a personal level, but on the basis of identity. It would be safe to say that all hundred percent of them were from one main community- the Meenas. Even the most unexpected suspect turned out to be an IAS or an IPS, as I later found out during the introduction round. Maybe it was a right decision on my part to have exposed myself to this gathering today. Because it made me think, and think hard I did. I have my own source when it comes to explaining why the numbers are so much in this particular community's favour, but instead of going there I felt the need of the hour was to break free of this ST bubble.

So amidst a sea of men, I sat in the corner enjoying my palak paneer. After all, food had been the main reason for my having ventured out tonight. But apart from food in my belly, I came back to my room with some food for thought tonight.