Rajasthan Gujjars plan protest again

'No measures by govt to fulfil promise'

Within 15 days after entering into a five-point agreement with the state government, the Gujjar community is back on agitation path.

Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla has announced a fresh agitation in November.
The community alleged that despite assurances, the state government has not taken legal opinion from experts to vacate court’s stay on five per cent Special Backward Classes (SBC) reservation.

“After discussing with the community leaders, we have decided to hold a fresh agitation after Diwali. The final date will be decided after the mahapanchayats that will be held in Kotputli, Dausa, Sawai-Madhopur, Bayana and Jaitaran,” said Bainsla.

Earlier, the community members convened the meeting of Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti at Kanota in Jaipur and accused the state government of betraying the Gujjars on the agreements reached two weeks ago.

“Health Minister Rajendra Rathore had done five agreements with Gujjars. After this we had called off our stir. However, now it’s been 15 days and government has yet not cleared its stand,” said Gujjar leaderHimmat Singh.

Singh said the Raje government had promised to seek advice of legal experts and prepare a detailed road map to vacate the court’s stay on five  per cent SBC reservation.
“Nothing has been done and the government is continuing with its laidback attitude. When our case was taken up in the court for hearing, no government lawyer was present to plead our case,” said Himmat Singh.

“On contrary, they assured us of taking the help of a Supreme Court lawyer and Attorney General of Rajasthan,” Singh said.

The case was being delayed as the government is slack, he added.

The leaders alleged that the government tries to appease the community by introducing new development schemes. However, its officials make sure that the benefits do not reach the community.

“The government, in the recent agreement, assured us to rectify the loopholes in Devnarayan Yojana and ease norms to provide scooties to our meritorious schoolgirls. Within a week after the agreement, officials raised the minimum eligibility criteria to avail a scooty,” said Himmat Singh.

He said this cannot be a lack of coordination, but  was an attempt by the government to divert the community’s attention from the reservation issue.
DH News Service