Gujjar stir: internet banned in 2 districts of Rajasthan

Internet services have been banned in Bharatpur and Karauli districts of Rajasthan ahead of the proposed Gujjar agitation in Addha village near Bayana in Bharatpur district.

In order to avoid the spread of foul posts on social networking platforms, the district administration has banned internet services.

Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Tank said, "We are in talks with Gujjar leaders. We have asked them not to create and law and order problems. Also, several battalions of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) will reach Bharatpur on Sunday and will be deployed in sensitive areas".

In view of the agitation, the district collector of Bharatpur met the Gujjar leaders but the talks remained inconclusive.

Fearing the stir, Subir Kumar, divisional commissioner, Bharatpur, said mobile internet services will remain barred till May 14 and may be extended in some areas, in case Gujjars proceed with their agitation.

However, some 80 villages in Bharatpur have decided to boycott the agitation.

They have accused Kirori Singh Bainsla, a Gujjar community leader, of harbouring political ambitions. Some community leaders also announced that they will not let Bainsla launch the agitation from Adda village.

Hardik extends support

Quota agitation leader Hardik Patidar also announced his support to the stir by the Gujjar community.

"I will give my full support to the community and we will fight for justice," Patel, who was in Pushkar, told reporters.

In Rajasthan, the Gujjar community has been fighting against the state government for nearly 10 years.

The Gujjars have been demanding reservation under "special backward classes", which according to them should be within the 50% overall quota approved by the Supreme Court.

The Gujjars in Rajasthan are currently getting 1% reservation under Most Backward Classes (MBC).

The community has been demanding bifurcation of the OBC quota so that the community gets 5% reservation.

The Rajasthan Assembly had in October last year passed a bill to raise OBC reservation from 21 to 26% to provide 5% quota to the Gujjars and other castes.

However, the high court stayed the bill as it would have increased the reservation to 54%.