Gujjar community members block the railroad tracks in Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Bharatpur (Rajasthan):
Members of the Gujjar community have occupied railway tracks in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, as part of their protest to secure a job and education reservation, officials said. Some train movements have been affected, including the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express. Officials said a half-dozen other trains whose schedules had been affected by the protest include Awadh Express, Amritsar-Bandra and Indore-Nizamuddin Express.
The Gujjars have been demonstrating intermittently for a reserve since 2007. They were awarded 5% in a special category, but this figure was repeatedly overturned by the court because it exceeds the 50% limit set by the Supreme Court.
Gujjar leader Vijay Bainsla said today that their protest for reserving employment and education as a “backward class” community will continue until their demands are met. , ANI news agency reported. Hundreds of members of the Gujjar community in Bharatpur demonstrate under the leadership of Mr. Bainsla.
“The young people cannot find a job. There is anger among them. Our movement will continue. We have spoken to (Ashok) Gehlot ji, but nothing has happened so far,” Bainsla said. at ANI.
“We haven’t spoken to anyone. Young people are unemployed, 25,000 jobs are blocked and no one is talking about it. This demonstration will continue until our demands are not met,” Bainsla added.
“We have spoken to Gehlot ji four times in the past but nothing has come to fruition. It’s been two years, how much patience are they asking us for?” Said Mr. Bainsla.
Reports indicate that the Gujjar community has been split into two factions – one led by Himmat Singh Gujjar has agreed with the Rajasthan government cabinet subcommittee on 14 points following discussions on Saturday, while the The other led by Mr. Bainsla continues the protests.
“We had a very positive discussion and we are satisfied with the 14 points we have agreed on. There is no need for fuss and we hope the government will keep its promises,” said Himmat Singh Gujjar, whose delegation met with Rajasthani Minister Raghu Sharma.
According to the High Court of Rajasthan guidelines issued in 2007, a mahapanchayat can only be detained after an undertaking has been submitted to the district collector.
Also, according to the National Disaster Management Law and the Rajasthan Outbreak Ordinance, 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis, a congregation of over 100 people could not be detained in the State.
The government of Rajasthan adopted on October 26, 2018 a bill increasing the quota of other backward classes (OBC) from 21% to 26%.
In December 2018, the state government approved a 1% reservation for the Gujjars and four other backward classes.
These communities receive a separate reservation percent under the legal 50 percent reservation limit for the most backward category in addition to the OBC reservation.
With inputs from PTI
