Karan Thapar takes on Kamal Nath

Karan Thapar does a great job of making Kamal Nath admit that reservations are not the same as Affirmative Action on Devil's Advocate.

Highlights:

We must recognise that in our country, when we are on this growth trajectory - like never before - this growth cannot be urban-centric, class-centric or region-centric. We have to ensure all-inclusive growth.

A round of applause for our Commerce and Industry minister, please. A reader complained when we called him illiterate. Does not even understand basic economics.

But when, over these last 50 years, something is not happening, it is imperative for us to address it. There are many things, which have not happened.

We have had reservations for SC/STs for the last 50 years and something is not happening. Any thoughts on that?

First we want to try the voluntary process. If it does not work then the government will have to look at it. We will then have to look at other options.

Heard that lathi-charge worked great on the striking medicos.

So if they are doing it then they should say please enforce it because they are already doing it. Then why should anybody resist it?

Yeah, they should really say rape us some more, we are already being raped.

I am not dissociating. Our figures do not prove it. I am the industry minister. I am telling you on record our figures do not prove it, Finished.

Yep, case closed. We want reservations because I said so. Facts and figures? What are they?

If there is captive area, if there is a district with high ST/SC and OBC population, and we incentivise industry to go there and set up industry there, to invest in that district, the captive area that they get to employ will be amongst those people.

Well, good luck with getting industries to SC/ST and OBC concentrated areas.

If they say we are going to put our Rs 100 crore and employ 20 people, it doesn't serve my purpose. I want them to create employment opportunities.

Not enough votes, eh?

There is no question of self-interest. Everything is based on self-interest, right?

So, your self-interest matters. The freeloader who wants a free seat, his self-interest matters. But the industrious and the enterprising, who create wealth, their self-interest doesn't?