Apropos your editorial on the Reservation Policy, I endorse your criticism of the various modalities but I feel that in a state of our dimension and variety and so many vertical and horizontal focii of power and governance, it would be impossible to satisfy all identifiable groups without adopting a universal policy of reservation at all levels for all times - based, of course, on common norms of population and degree of backwardness. Such a policy would have an inbuilt provision of self-limitation, because the degree of backwardness should be measurable and, measured every ten years, the quota will have to be accordingly adjusted. My vision is of an expanding pool of merit and at the same time promoting the aspiration of all:groups.

The cry for 'merit' is a cry for the status quo which serves those who are in and who have the power to let in those who are out, grudgingly as an act of grace and not of right.

Let the State's highest priority be to provide universal education as promised in the Constitution, In 5 years, it will throw up the meritorious from all groups. Such a planned approach will give us both Social Justice and Social Harmony.