Why do we need reserved constituencies in Indian Democratic Parliamentry System? OR “The makers of the Constitution thought of a special system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.” Substantiate your answer.

Why do we need reserved constituencies in Indian Democratic Parliamentry System? 

OR 

“The makers of the Constitution thought of a special system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.” Substantiate your answer.

Ans.

(i) Our Constitution entitles every citizen to elect its representative and to be elected as a representative.

(ii) The Constitution makers, however, were worried that in an open electoral competition, certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get elected to the Lok Sabha and the state Legislative Assemblies.

(iii) They may not have the required resources, education and contacts to contest and win elections against others.

(iv) Those who are influential and resourceful may prevent them from winning elections.

(v) If that happens, our Parliament and Assemblies would be deprived of the voice of a significant section of our population. That would make our democracy less representative and less democratic.

(vi) So, the makers of our Constitution thought of a special system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.

(vii) Currently, in the Lok Sabha, 79 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 41 for the Scheduled Tribes.