As Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her government looks forward to some relaxed moments after a successful end to the Gurjars’ Jail Bharo Andolan, the Meena community keenly watches the ongoing negotiations between the state government and Gurjar representatives.

The Meenas are all set to put the government in back gear if it gives a nod to Gurjars’ demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Firm on not sharing benefits of ST status with the Gurjars, the Meenas are mobilizing the community to put pressure on the state government by holding community panchayats. They have already announced plans to hold two mass meetings in Banswara and Kota, both tribal dominated areas.

Following the same mechanism the Gurjars used to generate awareness about the demand for a ST status, the Meenas are also holding mega meetings to garner support on opposing the Gurjars. They made it clear to the state government and the Gurjars which are working to reach a negotiated solution on the Gurjars’ demands.

While the Gurjars are desperate to be shifted from their current OBC (Other Backward Classes) status to the ST category to enjoy educational and employment benefits, the Meenas are extremely reluctant to share the quota pie with the Gurjars.

The twin communities, with age-old friendly ties in rural Rajasthan have turned overnight foes when it comes to dealing with the reservation issue. At a recent rally, the Meenas made a thumping announcement that the community would resist any attempt to meddle with the existing tribal list. They also asked the Raje government to abolish the Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee formed to look into the Gurjars’ demand for inclusion in the ST category.

Ever since the Gurjars launched their agitation in May, the Meenas were quick to oppose their move. One of the powerful ministers in Vasundhara Raje cabinet, Kirori Lal Meena has been the most vocal, flaring up Meena sentiments on the issue. He was widely criticized for his jubilant gestures after the first phase of Gurjar agitation that ended with state government announcing  formation of a high-powered committee to look into their demands.

Afraid of a shrinking quota if Gurjars are included in the ST list, the Meenas feel the Gurjars’ claims of having tribal attributes are false and baseless. In their submission before the Chopra panel, the Meena Mahasabha attempted to refute the Gurjars’ claim.

Meanwhile, the Gurjars are themselves a divided lot now after the Jail Bharo Andolan, with a faction of Gurjar core committee parting ways with  Kirori Singh Bainsla, who led the movement since the beginning.

The young and fiery Gurjar leaders like Prahlad Gunjal, Atar Singh Bhadana, (both expelled from the BJP for their anti-government stand on the issue) and Mukhia Gurjar in their desperateness to snatch command of the agitation from the Bainsla’s hands have now publicly announced his removal from the post of convener after he announced the suspension of the Jail Bharo Andolan following state government’s appeal.

The younger leadership is blaming Bainsla for damaging the Gurjar agitation in support of the state government’s interests. The fact is the much publicized Jail Bharo Andolan launched from October 2 throughout Rajasthan had turned into a damp squib. Bainsla, who was shifted from the Ajmer central jail to Jaipur to participate in final talks with the government on an agreement over the community’s six-point charter of demands was released from jail on Wednesday.

The government has partially agreed on the demands including the demand to provide jobs to one member of the families of those killed during the May-June Gurjar agitation and adequate compensation to the injured.

The Gurjars may calm down after Bainsla’s final talks over the six point charter but the state government has a daunting task ahead to keep both the Meenas and Gurjars in good humour. If it pleases one, it risks disappointing the other community. The issue may flare up again in December when the Chopra panel submits its report.