The Gujjars have been maligned for the violent methods they adopted to voice their demands for a quota. But one cannot fault the principles on which their agitation was based.
The original list of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes prepared in 1950 has expanded over the years. So there is no reason why groups such as Gujjars, who feel that they deserve quotas, can't agitate for ST status.
In any case, the BJP before it won the elections in Rajasthan had promised ST status to the Gujjars.
The Gujjars have a pretty strong case for being included in the ST list. Besides the Gujjars themselves, there are many who believe that they've been hard done by when compared to the Meenas.
The Meenas, who have a similar socio-economic background as the Gujjars, are classified as STs and have cornered most of the central government jobs in Rajasthan.
The Gujjars, by virtue of being a nomadic group, have always found it difficult to mobilise and articulate their demands.
This year's agitation, as well as the one last year, is an illustration of the political maturity and clout of the Gujjars.
There are some who have pointed out that the Rajasthan government's move to grant a 5 per cent quota for Gujjars flouts the existing 50 per cent limit fixed by the Supreme Court.
But we shouldn't forget that the Constitution does not limit the quantity of reservations. There are many sociologists who believe that scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes together make up more than three quarters of India's population.
So why should there be a 50 per cent limit to reservation?
It's no use bemoaning the fact that groups like Gujjars are demanding and getting quotas and opening the door for more such agitations. So long as there is reservation on the basis of caste and tribe, we can expect groups to mobilise along identity.
Only when the system of reservation is changed, can we expect movements such as the one in Rajasthan to cease.
(Views of TOI correspondent-Prodosh Mitra. Endorsed by BM)
Jun 14, 2008
Realty Prices to go up?
Mumbai, BM press:
Considering the latest announcements that have been made with regards to the construction sector and given the increase in steel and cement prices, a price rise in the realty industry seems inevitable.
Last week it was announced that VAT i.e Value Added Tax @ 5% will be levied on all constructions after june 2006. A day later came an announcement of builders being able to charge a 4.5% service tax. Obviously, no builder is going to pay the VAT from his own pocket and the burden will be ultimately transferred to the final buyers.
Also adding to this is the Inflation rate of India which is close to 8% making basic necessities more expensive than ever. And the RBI increasing the Repo rates are adding tho the woes as getting loans has just got a lil more burdening.
So buying a dream home is proving to be a costly dream now.. Watch out for the growth in Tier II and Tier III cities. And if any plans to invest in the realty sector/lands or plots do take these cities into consideration.
"Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle, ugle heere moti... ..mere desh ki dharti.."
Apparently, nothing comes for free in this world... so what if u grow diamond and gold in your backyard.. all hypothetical!!
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