Politics of a bus seat

I had left early for home. It was a tiring day and so I was exhausted. I travel by Bus. It was around two which is the peak hour. I was praying that I get a less crowded bus or a one in which men are sitting on reserved seats! The first bus was heavily crowded..women were all standing. So I decided to wait for the next one. My wish had been granted. The next one had men sitting on reserved seats. I asked a person to get up but he said he was unwell. I asked the other person and he got up. Then another woman came up and asked the ‘unwell’ person to get up. He kept insisting that he is not well. But everyone called him a liar. He had to give in.
That was I think the first time when I experienced how a bus seat can make one immoral. Ofcourse I do not rule out the possibility that he might be faking it. A lot of men do but the chances are also there that he was really unwell. I felt really sorry for this person. This made me think as to what extent women are this deserving for a seat reservation.
I have always tried to evade this issue. The reason is that I myself enjoyed this privilege. But now I think its time to really apply my ideology of equality. I have tried to come up with arguments for and against this issue.
Biologically, Women are less strong than men. No one ever denies this fact. So a healthy woman is always more deserving for a seat than a healthy man. But a sick man is not as capable as a healthy woman. So I think the seat should go the person who is deserving. If there is a senior citizen(male/female) and a young lady, then the seat should ideally go to the elderly. There is only one seat reserved for the elderly. Same rule applies for the differently-abled. I think even within a reserved seat there should be an internal criteria. Young fit ladies should not sit if an elderly is present.
Another point supporting the reservation is the problem of eve-teasing. Men are taught to be opportunity-seekers. A woman standing amidst a pack of men becomes an easy prey. It will take some more years to teach men that women are not made physically weak so that men can take their advantage. So in the meantime, reservation is a very minuscule way to restrict eve-teasing.
The immorality aspect is my point against this issue.* Though I am yet to experience such shamefulness but since this issue has been reported, I assume that this happens. Women often become age-blind and demand a seat for a male elder. Women have also asked a differently-abled for a seat. I find this unbelievable but then I agree that there is no limit to peoples’ shamefulness. Just for a seat, how can one become so immoral. Another practice is that Women sit on the general seat even when a reserved seat is available. These practices have an individual element so one is obviously not blaming the entire womankind so no offence! But reservation is encouraging such immorality.
Seat reservation for women is a measure taken by the Government to ensure a cheaper and smoother way of travel for women. They consider this as a measure in the process of women emancipation. I am glad that the Government took this pain but short-sightedness is not the key to success. Giving them seats will not liberate them. It is not like either u subjugate women or u worship her. I think seat reservation is the only time when a non-feminist woman celebrates her woman-ness! Seat reservation should be for the deserving. Equality is among equals...inequality is for special cases. Here, the special cases are the elderly, the differently-abled and the sick. Only after this one should see the woman element. Infact I think the woman element can also be ignored. This reform should come if one really understands the concept of equality. If the Government really wants to improve the condition of women, it should train the conductors to be a bit more polite and helpful. The conductors have to be responsible. They can even put a stop to the eve-teasing. But ofcourse for that, they themselves should be moral. For the Government to act, People have to provide the base. I think this concept of ‘seat for the deserving’ should be practised on an individual note. It is only then that the Government will be able to note this and do the necessary. This is a democracy. We the people will make and dismiss laws. Hail Democracy.

*Views by Rutwij Kokje