“Merit, Not Reservations, Will Build India’s Future”, Goa Chronicle, October 03, 2025
“My views on reservations are absolutely clear and have been consistent over the years: India’s future cannot be built on the foundation of reservations. It must be built on the foundation of merit. This is not just a statement; it is a conviction rooted in the belief that excellence, talent, and hard work should define the destiny of a nation, not quotas carved out by political compulsions.
At the same time, let me also be clear that ignoring the struggles of disadvantaged communities is not the answer. India’s greatness cannot be achieved by leaving behind vast sections of our people. What we need is balance. What we need is clarity. What we need is courage to speak the truth: India must move from reservation politics to empowerment politics.
When the framers of our Constitution introduced reservations, it was with the noble objective of correcting historic wrongs. Certain communities had been denied opportunities for centuries due to a rigid caste hierarchy. They needed a fair chance to enter the mainstream. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the founding fathers saw reservations as a temporary corrective mechanism, not a permanent entitlement…..”
Read full article at goachronicle.com
