Politicians Vs Data (1-0)

This post is about Indias Union Finance Minister P.Chidambarams interview with Karan Thapar on the program Devils Advocate aired on CNN-IBN on Sunday Jun 11 at 8:30 PM and on CNBC-TV18 at 10:30 PM. The video and transcript are available here.

A close shave  

The highlight of the interview was when P.Chidambaram almost committed suicide when he mentioned the Sattanathan and Ambasankar commission reports. It is quite unbelievable that he mentions these two reports that point out large scale misuse of the OBC quota in TN. One would expect these two reports to be used as an argument FOR a new statistical study ! Its unreal that he escaped.

• These two reports (which are 37 and 26 years old) point out large scale encroachment of the OBC quota by a few powerful OBC castes.
• Both these reports talked about the urgent need to exclude the creamy layer and repeatedly pointed out that large sections were not benefiting.
• The state government ignored the creamy layer removal recommendations of both these reports.
• The Ambasankar commission is 26 years old. If it pointed to large scale misuse 26 years back, dont we want to find out if things have improved (or) if they have gotten worse ? What we are asking for is a new "Ambasankar Commission" in all states ? Since he has no problems citing these two reports, why on earth does he not want a new study 26 years later ?
• The real reason PC on behalf of DMK does not want data is not because of the so-called forward castes. It is because they are scared of the classes that are left behind (the remaining 200+ backward classes who are not getting even a tiny share of the quota benefits) Barring the rare exceptions, barbers are still cutting hair, washermen still wash their clothes in filthy rivers, tanners still beat rawhide in unhyegenic conditions – quotas in IIT/AIIMS mean nothing for them. This is about quotas for the people who own the land they toil in , the factories they work in, and the kids of various state government officials.
• If Karan Thapar had come prepared with even a summary of these two reports – PC would have been toast. That is why PC will probably not appear on this program again on this topic.

Interesting points

Karan Thapar: Have they succeeded?

P Chidambaram: Yes undoubtedly they have. Let me explain. Once you get a set of parents from the backward communities who are educated, the degrees the graduation the post graduation, then you find the second generation child is able to compete more effectively with children of families who have say 200 years of unbroken tradition of learning.

Does he imply that in 1806, south India had organized universities that were filled with upper caste kids ? Indias oldest University Aligarh Muslim University was founded in 1877. What is he talking about ? An overwhelming majority of forward-castes cannot trace formal education beyond their grandparents (prior to 1920's). In any case, many of todays OBCs too were well educated 100 years back.

Secondly, in TN there are many top OBC families that have grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts as doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. Should they be excluded from the quota because according to him just one generation seems to be enough to compete ?

P Chidambaram: You ask for empirical evidence and you don’t have the patience to wait for the answer. Tamil Nadu we have had the Satanand Commission, the Ambasankar Commission and nobody has challenged that count so far in Tamil Nadu.

Karan Thapar: It may be true of Tamil Nadu, what about nationwide?.

Reality Check : Thanks for bringing up these two commissions. The last of these two commissions, the Ambasankar was conducted 26 years back. It pointed out large scale misuse of the system. A small set of OBCs constituting 30% of the OBC count were cornering 80% of the professional college seats. Fast forward 26 years (and 14-18,000 OBC doctors later) – dont you want to find out what is the status, are the same communities and families benefiting today ? Isnt it time for another study ? Why are you opposing it tooth and nail ? 

Dude, where my data ? 

This is the core of the interview and the main issue today. What PC is saying is basically, "Look, we wont give you data or even agree to a basic study of the system. The truth (data) is uncomfortable to us politicians because it will show a small section of wealthy OBCs hijacking the system. Since we are in a majority – we do what we want". This line of thinking is so dangerous that it will make a mockery of democracy in the years to come.

Karan Thapar: If you are so confident that reservations have worked in the Southern states, which many people are strongly and strenuously disputing, then agree to the review, cause the review will presumably prove your point. Why aren't you agreeing to the review?

P Chidambaram: You need to understand that Parliament is competent to make a law and each member of Parliament represents the people. If the overwhelming view in the country – as you believe it is and which I think is completely wrong – is 'for' reservation and Parliament reflects that view. 

Reality Check: Look how Karan is talking about the review and PC is talking about reservations in general. Two totally different things. We too support reservations – but not based on whims. Show data and make the whole system legitimate.

The rest of the interview was predictable with PC getting flustered on many occasions. Not very interesting because most Indian politicians are not great performers and PC is no exception.

Karan, Karan – some tips

You messed up big time with PCs education and his sons. That was irrelevant to the issue. You also did not get the facts right about his college. Please do your research properly next time.

• Personal anecdotes and behavior do not matter in Indian politics. Almost all politicians send their kids abroad for studies Anbumani, Dayanidhi Maran, Rahul Gandhi, you name it ! Even so called intellectuals like Narayan Murthy send his kids abroad for undergraduate education. That is a disease we have and and a topic for another day – you cant single out politicians for it.
• The real issue is data. You did a commendable job today as always – except PC sideswiped you with the Ambasankar and Sattanathan reports. I dont know how you could have pre-empted that, but I suggest you hire some kids to dig up related material from the internet and present you a summary before each interview. You are the best we have.

In any case, PC performed well given his task. His task was likely along the lines of  "Talk the best you can. Just make sure no study is done".

Welcome to Indian politics in 2006, where facts dont get in the way !

God bless.