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Patna, November 21: Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger son Tejaswi Yadav was sworn in as the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister. At 26, he is perhaps the youngest to be deputy of the state chief minister. Tejaswi Yadav’s selection for the second top post in the government sparked a debate whether there should be education criteria for legislators as Bihar’s new deputy chief minister is just 9th pass.
The irony is even when a state government wants to take steps to ensure educated people’s representatives are elected, it faces opposition at various levels. Recently, Harayan government brought amendments in Panchayat Raj law, introducing educational qualification and other eligibility criteria for those contesting the rural local body elections. The matter was brought in Supreme Court and the apex court is yet to take a call on the amendments. (ALSO READ: It is unfortunate that Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, says Tejashwi Yadav)
But the qualification issue is not new and is not happening at the state level only. The issue of minimum qualification for ministers was raised when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted Smriti Irani in his cabinet as Human Resource Development Minister and Congress leader Ajay Maken raised question over her educational qualification. A case is pending in Delhi court on Irani’s education qualification.
However, most of the people believe that there should be norms regarding the qualification of lawmakers, although there are people who feel that academic merit can’t be a lone measurer of his or her talent. Education enables a person to comprehend the situation and form an opinion. It helps you to understand the society, people and their needs and problems. An educated minister or legislator can understand the core issues and find out the solutions for the hurdles. In case of a minister of a particular field, it would be better if he has basic knowledge about the ministry he is handling especially the departments which require domain knowledge and understanding.
A good education is no guarantee that you become a better leader but a better educated leader is in position to take well informed decision. Take for instance Singapore. The representatives in the island city/country have to have certain minimum qualification and work experience.
Those opposing educational qualification cite Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s example. He is well-educated from foreign university but he is struggling to become a popular leader. But should that allow a Tejaswi Yadav to become a deputy chief minister? Is it good for a country that aspires to become the knowledge capital of the world to have a 9th pass as the second most powerful man in Bihar?
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