Oxfam International, a global rights group, has lauded India's reservation system as a model for empowering marginalized communities and democratizing power. This recognition came as part of Oxfam's annual inequality report, "Resisting the Rule of the Rich: Protecting Freedom from Billionaire Power," released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The report contrasts India's approach with the increasing dominance of billionaires in global politics, where they are 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary citizens.
Oxfam's report emphasizes that political, institutional, and social conditions in India create an environment where ordinary citizens can influence decision-making, despite existing structural inequalities. The organization points to "institutional inclusiveness, political incentives for responsiveness, collective organisation, effective governance and ideological commitments" as key factors. Civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and trade unions are also highlighted as important allies in expanding political engagement.
India's reservation system provides quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other marginalized groups in legislatures, proportional to their population. Recent reforms have also introduced a 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies. Beyond politics, reservations extend to education and government employment for weaker and underrepresented groups, enhancing opportunities for social and economic mobility.
Oxfam described India's approach as a "compelling example" of how structural reforms can give ordinary citizens a meaningful voice in political and economic decision-making. The report suggests that these measures enable marginalized communities to access positions of power and advocate for redistributive policies that can reduce inequality. By highlighting India's quota system, Oxfam underscores the broader global need to create inclusive political mechanisms that empower ordinary people and curb the disproportionate influence of wealthy elites.
The organization urged governments to make public commitments to protect and promote freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, including online, so that citizens, movements, journalists, and organizations can organize, speak out, and protest. Oxfam also advocated for greater transparency and accountability in upholding these freedoms, regular reporting and scrutiny by both state and non-state actors, and improved access to resources and information for individuals and organizations.
While lauding the reservation system, Oxfam has also previously noted the unfulfilled promise of extending reservations for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Despite support from major parties and a majority of citizens, the Women's Reservation Bill has faced resistance. Oxfam has pointed out that India's representation of women in Parliament lags behind many other nations, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. The organization has advocated for the immediate passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, citing evidence from local-level bodies and other countries to challenge criticisms against the bill and address foreseeable roadblocks in its implementation.
