Agitation by the Gujjar community for its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category is nothing but a consequence of the vote-grabbing policy widely followed by the country?s political class. Vasundhara Raje promised to grant Gujjars the ST status during the Rajasthan assembly poll campaign in 2003 (?Raje asks Gujjars to use wisdom on quota issue?, May 29). Her promise has turned out to be a Frankenstein?s monster. It?s not too late for our politicians to learn a lesson from the Rajasthan episode and desist from brandishing empty promises, especially on sensitive issues like reservation.
?P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
Windfall tax
The CPM?s proposal to impose windfall gains tax on oil needs consideration. With oil prices rising over $120, many upstream contractors in India are sitting pretty on a surge in profits.
?Ranjan Seth, Mumbai
