Why had the Mandal Commission become a debatable issue in India?

(i) The newspapers and magazines were full of different views and opinions
on this issue.
(ii) It led to widespread protests and counter-protests, some of which were
violent.
(iii) People reacted strongly because this decision affected thousands of job
opportunities.
(iv) Some felt that the existence of inequalities among people of different
castes in India necessitated job reservations.
(v) Others were of the view that this was unfair as it would deny equality of
opportunity to those who did not belong to a backward community’.
(vi) Some felt that this would hamper national unity.