The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Gujjar agitation

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Saturday, May 31, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Gujjar agitation

The violent form that the agitation by Gujjars — for the inclusion of their community in the list of Scheduled Tribes — has assumed shows that the protesters have no faith in non-violence. People in at least three States have been affected. The violence on the streets of the national capital has established the resolve of the Gujjars to continue their agitation.

It is time the Rajasthan government and the Centre took appropriate action to protect the common man who is unnecessarily put to trouble by such violence. Disturbance of normal life and vandalism by a section to achieve its ends will set a bad precedent. The tendency should be curbed at all costs.

J. Srinivasan,

Dindigul

* * *

As responsible citizens who vote in elections, we expect our governments to ensure that harmony prevails in society. In the Gujjars’ case, the Rajasthan government and the Centre are passing the buck. They cannot continue to remain mere spectators to get political mileage from the issue. The absence of effective governance in Rajasthan is affecting other parts of the country while bringing down the nation’s image in the eyes of the world.

Kapil Kumar Singh,

New Delhi

* * *

One wonders how many of those protesting for the inclusion of Gujjars in the STs list understand what reservation implies. Most of them, it appears, have been misguided into believing that their children will be rendered unemployed unless they get the status.

The issue, unfortunately, has snowballed into a massive law and order problem in north India. Disruption of public services, loss of property, violence and death have been the only outcome of the agitation. It only reinforces the fact that education and awareness are the only means to attain a healthy and non-violent society.

Tanvi Raghuwanshi,

Jaipur

* * *

Now that the Gujjar agitation has started spilling over to northern India, the Centre should start negotiations with the Gujjars. The issue should be given top priority as the Gujjar community is spread across many northern States.

Salin Thomas,

Kottayam

* * *

All political agitations, including the ongoing Gujjar protest, end up in destruction. This, increasingly, appears to be becoming the means of asserting power. Who pays for the damage caused? The taxpayer.

Air Commodore V.V. Nair (retd.),

Manipal

* * *

It is shocking that the Gujjars, who belong to the OBCs, want to be included in the STs list.

They should, instead, demand measures that will enable them to progress socially and educationally. Their present demand is baseless.

Md. Sultan Raza,

Bhagalpur

* * *

The Gujjar agitation has spread like wildfire in the Hindi belt beyond the BJP-ruled Rajasthan. The Centre cannot escape responsibility, and put the entire blame on the BJP. All political parties should realise at least now that the reservation policy can boomerang, if people’s passions are whipped up in the name of caste.

T. Ramaswamy,

Chennai

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