RESERVATION-Political Posturing

Political Posturing THE stand of the five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court hearing the petition of anti-reservationists that the government make clear by September 24 its stand on the notification of August 13, 1990 issued by the National Front government introducing job reservations in the central government for the socially and educationally backward castes on the basis of the Mandal Commission's recommendations has put the Congress party in a fix. Having played no small part in engineering the violence that greeted the notification at the time of its announcement, the Congress can scarcely come out openly in support of OBC reservation. On the other hand, open opposition would work to the advantage of the Janata Dal and the various regional parties. The Supreme Court's demand, though difficult to comprehend, has the merit of forcing the Congress to emerge from the ambiguity behind which it had sought refuge.