90:10 rule in Maharashtra nothing more than a political gimmick

After what seemed like small game of ping pong, it is now official that Maharashtra education minister Mr.Vikhe Patil will have it his way - the 90:10 rule if officially in effect. According to this rule, students who have completed their 10th standard under state boards would have 90% reservation of seats in junior colleges while those who have studied under ICSE, CBSE, or any other board would have only 10% reservation.

Firstly the rationale for this decision should be questioned. Mr. Patil says "If they want admission in our colleges, let them study in our schools". This is a violation of democratic rights in my view. If your schools have the high standards, why would anyone choose to study in other schools, Mr.Patil? If making the state schools popular is the aim, the Government is at least expected to follow the pull system - make schools more attractive to students/parents - rather than the push system - force students/parents to opt for state schools.

Secondly, numbers say that this decision will not really affect the actual admissions much as the number of students from other boards applying for junior colleges is less than 10%. This means that the only effect would be that some students will not get the colleges of their choice. This again indicates that this is rule has been passed more to make a political point rather than to bring any changes into effect.

Thirdly, why has this rule been forced all of a sudden? Why was a sunset period of 3 years at least not given before enforcing this so that students/parents would have the option of shifting their children to state schools so that they can get admissions in the colleges of their choice? This rule cannot be anything but a bolt from the blue for all students who have just passed out from schools of other boards. Is this not injustice to them? They are being punished for a something that has just been declared as wrong!

Political moves like this are nothing but populist moves that are irrational at the base but are still enforced simply because they enjoy the support of the majority. Mr.Minister, everything that the majority says is not always right, sometimes the leader is required to show more intelligence than the people he leads!