Its not manipulative, just pure barbaric oppression and the private sector just exist and even without reservation all your so called talents didnt do anything to uplift the country into super power.
Economic condition & reservation has nothing to do with each other. You cant remove/change your caste even if you become rich, the caste follows you to death. Sad truth !!
You want merit to be the only measure of talent, then everyone in this country should be given equal treatment, opportunities & education from the birth. Then we can compare scores & numbers. Not everyone starts at the same place. I get your point, but its not simple black & white approach.