Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Rajasthan violence

The agitation launched by the Gujjar community in Rajasthan to press its demand for inclusion among the Scheduled Tribes has taken an ugly turn, with violence threatening to spread to other States. What is alarming is the deteriorating law and order situation across Rajasthan. The agitation has already claimed more than 20 lives and the damage caused to public property is enormous.

While the Gujjars have every right to agitate, their leaders must ensure that the fight is not taken to the streets. The state must put down lawlessness firmly. The Centre must act responsibly instead of indulging in politicking.

C.S. Sukhavanam,
Coimbatore

* * *

This refers to the editorial "Caste dynamics and reclassification" (June 1). It is only because of a lenient approach adopted by the state that crowds indulge in violence. Leaders do not restrain their followers from attacking the police or destroying public property.

Coming to the agitation itself, the nation should take another look at reservation. In the present set-up, it is quite natural for a group that is included in the SC/ST list to oppose any further additions — the Meena community is already opposing the Gujjars' demand. If we can do away with caste and religion-based reservation and offer support to the needy irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, such clamour for inclusion in the reserved category will decline.

B.C. Unnikrishnan Nair,
Ottappalam

* * *

One only has to see the list of successful candidates in the civil service examinations to understand that the ST list is dominated by the Meenas of Rajasthan. Such domination is what rankles the Gujjars who perhaps feel had they also been STs, they would have been equally successful. The Meenas have taken advantage of their ST status to corner most of the benefits of reservation for years. If Gujjars are included in the ST list, it will cut into their share.

It is incredible that a whole community wants to call itself backward to get a few seats in educational institutions and government jobs. When will we get enlightened leaders who will tell their people that it is hard work, not government handouts, that is the solution to backwardness?

K.P. Suresh,
Chennai

* * *

The unfortunate happenings in Rajasthan are a consequence of the government's mishandling of the issue. The killing of innocent persons in police firing is most unfortunate. The violence also shows what can happen when society is divided into different groups that try to enrich themselves at the cost of others. Originally, reservation was meant only for 10 years. But politicians perpetuated the policy for petty political gains. This has divided society dangerously.

Ankur Garg,
Chandausi, U.P.

* * *

Successive governments that have played the reservation card for cheap political gains should be blamed for the nasty turn of events in Rajasthan. Both the State and the Central Governments should work towards resolving the crisis in an amicable manner.

K. Hari Krishnan,
Tuticorin

* * *

Vote bank policies have divided society both vertically and horizontally. Reservation has done more harm than good. Instead of bridging social gaps, it has widened them. Almost every State is sitting on a caste time bomb that is ready to explode. A debate addressing the issue in the national interest, and not from the political viewpoint, is the need of the hour.

Ramakrishna Thakur,
Chirala, A.P.

* * *

The Gujjar violence is a grim reminder of the dangers of playing with the caste fire. In the name of social justice, our self-serving politicians have used the caste divide to further their narrow political interests. Every party wants to outdo the other in the game of appeasement and every neta wants to don the mantle of champion of the downtrodden.

India today is, as V.S. Naipaul described, "a land of a million mutinies."

Rajalakshmi V. Subramanian,
Mumbai

* * *

The seeds of division sown by politicians are now bearing fruits that are turning rotten. With more and more communities clamouring to get a greater share of reservation and some others opposing it, things are taking an ugly turn.

The caste war in Rajasthan could very well spread to other parts of the country. It is time the government did away with caste-based reservation and introduced reservation based on economic criteria.

M. Sundar,
Chennai

* * *

Reservation should help in the nation's development and be more broad-based. Before it is too late, we should evolve a transparent and scientific method of reservation acceptable to all. We, the people, should understand the ground reality and accommodate our fellow citizens.

S. Ramani,
Vellore

* * *

What is happening in Rajasthan should sadden the hearts of all who are concerned about the nation. The fire lit by some vested interests has become a conflagration.

While the State government should make all out efforts to douse the flames, the Centre is duty bound to help the State administration in this hour of crisis.

N. Gopalan Kutty,
Ottapalam

* * *

A time will come when all communities in India will demand reservation in one form or the other, defeating its very purpose. It is time for our political parties to learn a lesson or two from the Gujjar agitation.

C. Petson Peter,
Kochi

* * *

Politicians have made a mockery of reservation. The Constitution provided reservation to the backward communities to undo the injustice done to them over centuries. But it seems to have lost its purpose. Promises made by politicians without taking the ground reality into consideration are damaging peace and social unity.

Alankar Gopal,
Shimla

* * *

Everyone seems to be finding fault with the reservation system for the violence in Rajasthan. Is reservation the cause of police atrocities on the people? The reason why reservation was introduced is valid even after 60 years of independence.

Of course, we can put an end to the reservation system if religious leaders come forward to declare that there are no castes in any religion and that everyone will be treated equally in all walks of life. All educational institutions should be taken over by the government where it should be possible for the sons of a hawker and a Minister to study together. When that happens, reservation can be scrapped.

S. Chinnadurai,
Chennai

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