There must be political or electoral seat reservations for freedom fighters or their dependants in the Indian electoral system. Under the Indian Constitution, political reservations in Parliament, State Assemblies and Panchayats are currently provided for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and women. Such reservations cannot be extended to other categories without a constitutional amendment. Then amend the Constitution accordingly, because freedom fighters were the lifelines of independent India. Many states provide a horizontal quota, usually between 2% and 10%, in government job recruitment for the children or dependants of registered freedom fighters. Goa, for example, has regularly extended direct recruitment schemes to clear employment backlogs for freedom fighters’ families. This is welcome. But why stop there? Their families should also be given opportunities to participate in elections and public life. Reserved seats or relaxed cut-off marks are also provided to the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in various state-run universities, medical colleges and engineering institutions. This, too, is a welcome measure.
Under the central Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana and corresponding state schemes, living freedom fighters and eligible dependants receive pensions, free railway passes and medical facilities. They are certainly entitled to such support. But if their descendants are given opportunities to serve as elected public representatives, they could also contribute to society through public service. Political reservation in India is largely based on social identity and historical disadvantage rather than on service to the nation. However, freedom fighters made immense sacrifices for India’s independence. They were among the people who laid the foundations of the nation we have today. Freedom fighters of India, including those from Goa, deserve greater recognition in the political system. Constitutional provision could be considered to give their eligible descendants a fair opportunity to enter electoral politics. Shouldn’t we, as a nation, think about this? Patriotism should not only be remembered on national occasions; it should also be reflected in our politics and public life.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
