While throwing some light on the Mandal Issue, give one reason for anti-Mandal protests in India.

Question 4:While throwing some light on the Mandal Issue, give one reason for anti-Mandal
protests in India.

The correct answer is – The Mandal Issue refers to the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report, which recommended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions in India. The report was implemented by the Indian government in 1990, leading to widespread protests and debates across the country.

One reason for the anti-Mandal protests was the fear of job loss among the upper castes, who believed that the reservation policy would reduce their representation in government jobs and educational institutions. The upper castes saw the policy as discriminatory and a threat to their social and economic status.

The anti-Mandal protests were also fueled by the belief that reservation policies were not based on economic criteria but rather on caste identity, leading to the exclusion of economically weaker sections of other castes. Many protestors felt that reservations should be based on economic criteria rather than caste-based criteria.

The anti-Mandal protests were marked by widespread violence and clashes with the police, leading to loss of life and property. Despite the protests, the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented, and reservations for OBCs continue to be a contentious issue in Indian politics.