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Act of expediency

The Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan seeking Scheduled Tribe status for the community has spread to many other States. It is the consequence of an unrealistic poll promise made by the BJP that clearly failed to anticipate the repercussions.

Across the nation, many sections that are socially, economically, and politically powerful have acquired the OBC status, thanks to politicians. This has deprived the really backward of their rights. The political leadership has neither the sincerity nor the courage to do justice to them. Though the Gujjars need affirmative action, the inclusion of some well-off sections in the OBC category has deprived them of their benefits. Their agitation is a warning to our myopic politicians.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,
Hyderabad

BJP leader L.K. Advani's demand that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convene an all-party meeting to decide on the status of Gujjars (June 4) is amusing.

Where was this wisdom when his party promised the Gujjars ST status? Does he really believe that all the parties will agree to a final list of castes and communities to be included among the SCs, STs, and OBCs?

T.V. Shankar Narayanan,
Hosur

What led to the volatile situation in Rajasthan was most certainly the politically expedient move of including the Rajputs in the OBC category. The lesson for all politicians from the caste imbroglio is that their shortsighted and expedient promises, especially on sensitive issues, are most likely to boomerang on them. If parties do not voluntarily curb such tendencies, more States are likely to tread the same disastrous route.

Shahabuddin Nadeem,
Bangalore

The BJP for all its claims of being a national party with a broad-based approach stands exposed for promising something that has the potential to divide society.

J. Suganthi,
Lalgudi

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