The Gujjar Drama

It's hard to imagine how a handful of people could bring the city to standstill. However, this is what happened in the national capital, Delhi, on 29 may'08. With Gujaar's protesting for the ST status, the whole city was crippled. Offices in Noida, Gurgaon were closed. Most of the people didn't move out of their houses. Buses burnt, car keys snatched from owners. It was a complete "nautanki" from the people of the community who were staging the dharna for an unlawful demand. Besides, supplies of vegetables and milk were stopped, adding to people's woes. In fact, it was a total disaster with losses estimated in crores. Who's going to take the blame for this huge loss - the gujaar's or the government. The people staging the protest didn't realise that there are other ways of protesting. It could be a silent protest, with no inconvenience being caused to common man. Another could be, wearing a black band (as is done in western countries) and continuing with one's job. Moreover, one could also go on for pressing their demands in Munnabhai istyle. What say???
By disrupting public property, causing roadbloackades, the community is only creating a wrath in people's mind for themselves.
With about 39 people already killed, these protest are not going to take us anywhere. Moreover, the govt. should be cautious in its decision. If today, gujjar's are awarded ST status, tomorrow another community would stand up asking for the same. Already, the general category is suffering so much due to reservations, the drama should be curtailed at the earliest.