Why Did Visvesvaraya Oppose India’s First Caste-Based Reservation? Engineers' Day Sparks Debate

New Delhi- On the occasion of Engineers' Day, as the nation celebrates Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (Sir M.V.) for his monumental contributions to engineering and administration, a renewed debate has sparked over his anti-reservation stance and alleged casteist outlook. Some members of the Bahujan community and social activists label Sir M.V. as casteist, while historians and his supporters dismiss this as a misinterpretation.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya, who served as the Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, made significant contributions to infrastructure, education, and industrial development during his tenure. However, his strong opposition to the Miller Committee’s recommendations in 1918, which advocated reservations for non-Brahmins and backward classes in government jobs and education, has fueled controversy. Visvesvaraya believed that merit should be the primary criterion for jobs and education, arguing that caste-based quotas would undermine administrative efficiency.

The First Caste-Based Reservation in Pre-Independent India

In 1912, Sir M.V. was appointed the Dewan of Mysore. At the time, there were complaints about the dominance of Brahmins in government sectors. People from other castes, such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas, wrote to the then Maharaja Nalvadi Krishna Wodeyar, urging him to address this imbalance.

When the Maharaja sought the Dewan’s opinion, Sir M.V. emphasized that merit should be the sole determining factor, as its absence would lead to inefficiency in administration. However, he was not against non-Brahmins. He suggested to the Maharaja that schools should be established to empower these communities.

Historical records note several exchanges of letters between the two, and as the Maharaja was not convinced by Sir M.V.’s views, he reportedly asked him to resign as Dewan in 1918.

In 1919, a committee formed by the Maharaja, known as the Miller Committee, recommended a gradual increase in the representation of backward classes in all government sectors by at least 50% over seven years. The committee also stressed that selected candidates must possess the requisite qualifications. Notably, this was the first instance of caste-based reservation in pre-independent India.

Was Visvesvaraya Truly Casteist?

Historians argue that Visvesvaraya’s opposition to reservations was driven by his commitment to meritocracy and administrative efficiency, not caste-based discrimination. He advocated for alternative measures, such as expanding education, providing liberal scholarships, and offering training to uplift backward and Dalit communities. His supporters point out that he challenged caste-based stereotypes, such as opposing orthodox restrictions on overseas travel, and prioritized national progress above all.

However, Bahujan thinkers argue that his emphasis on merit overlooked social and historical inequalities. Social activists contend that Visvesvaraya’s opposition to reservations was an attempt to preserve the social structure that benefited Brahmins. While this does not provide direct evidence of casteism, his policies indirectly supported privileged communities.