In a partial relief to the Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel, the Gujarat High Court today quashed the charge of 'waging war against government', but retained the one of sedition, while it roundly criticised reservations as one of the obstacles to the country's progress.
The charge of waging war against government (treason) entails a possible death, while the one of sedition is punishable with upto life term.
"If I am asked by anyone to name two things which have destroyed this country or rather has not allowed the country to progress in the right direction, then the same is reservation and corruption," said Justice J B Pardiwala in his order, while refusing to drop the charge of sedition from the FIR against Hardik and his five associates.
"It is very shameful for any citizen of this country to ask for reservation after years of independence. When our Constitution was framed, it was understood that reservation would remain for a period of 10 years, but unfortunately it has continued even after 65 years of independence," said the order.
The reservation has only played the role of an "amoeboid monster sowing seeds of discord" amongst the people. The importance of merit, in any society, cannot be understated. The merit stands for a positive goal...Which stands for rewarding those actions that are considered good, it said.
"Then...Rewarding merit is a means towards achieving what is regarded as good in the society. The parody of the situation is that India must be the only country wherein some of the citizens crave to be called backward," said the order.
The judge also asked the Patel quota leaders to fight against corruption rather than indulging in violence for reservations.
"The biggest threat today for the country is corruption. The countrymen should rise and fight against corruption at all levels, rather than shedding blood and indulging in violence for reservation," he said.
