[Reader-list] Aarakshan: Much ado about nothing

[A. Mani]

From: http://www.pragoti.in/node/4494

Aarakshan : Much ado about nothing

Saqib Khan

The film barely offers an honest debate on caste-based reservation;
instead the plot merely promotes private education, mixed with an
unhealthy dose of charity, individual morality and traditionalism,
writes SAQIB KHAN

Bollywood’s latest churn-out, Aarakshan, directed by Prakash Jha has
raised furore in some parts of the country, with some State
governments (namely, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh) going
all out and deciding to ban the screening of the film, even demanding
cuts in the film.

A film touted as one that dealt with issues surrounding OBC
reservations, some argued that the film has portrayed certain caste
groups in poor light. However, when you watch the film you'll find
that this issue is hardly its centre-point and that there has been an
attempt to balance both sides of the argument in the limited space
provided to the subject of reservation in the film (with more space
provided to the anti-reservationist standpoint or view, brought out
subtly). Basically, Aarakshan offers the story of a personal battle to
reform the education system, where the approach and solutions
presented are rather problematic.

Firstly, the title of the film is not justified by the film's plot and
story. It is only in the first half of the film that the issue of
reservation is directly dealt with. Even there it can be seen that
there has been attempt to balance both sides of the argument in which
the anti-reservationist standpoint has been somewhat given more space.

Yes, if we take into account the main characters of the film, there
are more numbers of them against/who raise doubts about the
reservation policy, and seem to express concern for “meritorious
students”. So right from the staunch anti-reservationist
vice-principal (Manoj Bajpai, who later becomes principal of the
college), the lead actress (Deepika Padukone), anti-reservation youth
led by the college student (Prateik Babbar) to the mother of lead
actress; the list of characters who take an anti-reservation stance is
long. This approach also seems to be the reason for depicting an upper
caste meritorious student “suffering because of reservation” (the one
who speaks in formal Hindi!). Meanwhile one of the main protagonists
of the film, the principal of the private college (Amitabh Bachchan),
can be at best said to keep a fairly apolitical stance, s one who only
upholds and is concerned with tradition and discipline.

In the second half, Aarakshan meanders into what can be termed at best
as the story of a personal battle. Though it does talk about the
mushrooming of private coaching centres, the issue of reservation
takes a backseat and the personal charisma of the ousted principal
(Amitabh) becomes the focus. So there is a renewed attempt to reform
the education system (in terms of free coaching and helping of
students), but what we get to see are acts of charity, moral goodness
of oneself and discipline with a strong flavour of traditionalism
(seen in repeated scenes of touching of feet, unquestionable authority
of parents over children, starting of classes in cowshed, etc.)

Given the college portrayed in the film is one run by a Private Trust,
predictably, there is no attempt to talk about issues such as public
education and the role of the state in ensuring education and coaching
(if needed) for all. So what we get to see in the end is one set of
private institutions being replaced by another private body led by the
charismatic ex-principal (Bachchan). This emphasis on charisma also
plays a key role in ‘change of heart’ among sections of population
which help him to finally win his personal battle against the
unscrupulous principal (Bajpai) and also succeed in his effort to
reform the education system.

To sum up, it can be said that the title Aarakshan seems to be quite
misleading as the film is fairly removed from the issue; at best it
just touches it from a very superficial standpoint and reiterates the
often-repeated arguments propounded by the anti-reservationist lobby
in recent times.

The film's approach to reform the education system is also quite
problematic. This is the approach where moral dimensions, charity and
personal integrity of an individual play a key role. Added to this is
the fact that what this change stands for: another private educational
body.

Thus, in the garb of reservation, what Aarakshan depicts is a
miniscule discussion of the core issue with - subtly - more space to
anti-reservationist position; and what instead it strongly puts forth
and promotes, as a solution, is a private education system laced with
charity and moral righteousness of an individual, mixed of course with
traditionalism.

(The author is with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences)


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