Rajasthan Issue

[yogeshsingh]

hi friends i am new to this website. iam yogeshsingh from mumbai. i wud surely like to share my opinion with all of our community members. first whatever happened in rajasthan is totally unacceptable. second getting an ST status wont solve problem. it will be a big shame for all gurjars who r known warriors and proudly say theirselves as raghuvanshi. we are creators of these country. how can anyone do this all to us. what is govt? we create it. i think we need to be more united to fight against this issue.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gujjars, Meenas clash in Rajasthan



Special Correspondent







JAIPUR: Tension gripped the Gujjar-Meena dominant areas in Rajasthan on Thursday after both communities took a few members of the other captive following a fracas near Chirawata in Sawai Madhopur district during the day.

The incidents, in which no casualties were reported till evening, led to the blockade of the Jaipur-Gangapur highway by a group of persons, led by Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, near Kherli.

About a dozen persons who sustained injuries were referred to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur. Reports received here said those in captivity included children.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who reviewed the situation with Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal and senior officials, has appealed to both the communities to maintain peace and release those who were kept in confinement. Sawai Madhopur Superintendent of Police Vishal Bansal is camping in the area, negotiating the release of those in captivity.

Bamanwas happens to be the home town of Rajasthan’s Director-General of Police Harish Meena. Mr. Meena, who was on a month’s leave as per the requirement of the model code of conduct, as his brother Union Minister Namonarain Meena was contesting the Lok Sabha election from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, resumed duty only a day earlier.

The day’s incidents were triggered when a group of persons, reportedly Meenas, hurled stones in the afternoon on vehicles, in which Gujjars were moving to Kherli in Bamanwas tehsil for a religious ceremony. While the rest of the vehicles carrying over 500 persons passed without much damage, one vehicle belonging to a Gujjar from Nadauti tehsil was detained by the mob, and the passengers — said to be five or six in number — were held captive. The vehicle was set on fire. Elsewhere a tractor belonging to a Meena was set ablaze. The Gujjars took their captives — said to be two in number — in retaliation. Now both the groups have made the release of those in custody of the other a condition for release of their own captives

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gujjar leader Bainsla threatens to renew agitation
24 May 2009, 0314 hrs IST, P J Joychen, TNN




JAIPUR: Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla has threatened to renew the agitation for Gujjar reservation any time after June 10 if the
government takes the Gujjars for granted and fails to act on the bill that will grant 5 % reservation to the Gujjars, signed by the governor.

Addressing a large gathering at Pilupura, on the first anniversary of the Rail Roko' agitation which killed over 38 people in police firing, the Gujjar leader who unsuccessfully contested on a BJP ticket from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur parliamentary constituency exhorted the people to turn up in large numbers for the memorial function for the martyr' at Sikandra on Sunday. He also served an ultimatum of renewed agitation if the government fails to get justice to the Gujjars.

He said, "A grand meeting of the Gujjars has been called at Mehrabgarh which will decide the future course of action on the Gujjar reservation". The Gujjar leader, directed the ire of the Gujjars against the Congress government and charged it for inaction for the ongoing clashes between the Gujars and Meenas.

Meanwhile Shaheed Smarak Nirman Samiti has invited Gujjars from all over the country on Sunday in Sikandra, the epicentre of the first Gujjar agitation in 2007, to unveil a monument built in memory of the Gujjars who were killed during the agitation.

After the Gujjars' agitation in May and June in 2007, which claimed 38 lives in police firing, the BJP government agreed to extend 5 % reservation for Gujjars, Rebari, nomads (Gardia Lohar), and Banjara, and 14 % to the poor among the economically backward classes (EBC).

A bill seeking reservation of jobs for four castes including Gujjars, under the Special Backward Classes category, and the poor among the upper castes was introduced in the Rajasthan legislative assembly by the Raje government .

The bill titled Rajasthan Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Class (OBC), Special Backward Classes, and Economically Backward Classes, 2008, however, was pending with the governor since then. The governor had refused to entertain the repeated pleas by the BJP government and the Gujjar leaders saying that the bill exceeded the 50 % ceiling of reservation by the Supreme Court.

It seeks to provide reservations of jobs in favour of SCs, STs, OBCs, Special Backward Classes and EBC while making recruitment for state government posts, including the educational sector.

However, the Gujars now stand as a rudderless and divided community and could not make much headway in pursuing its cause. Now it has to be seen how much respect these leaders still enjoy among the common people.

Meanwhile, the district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the security in view of the Gujjar gathering. District police superintendent, Nisar Ahmed Farooqi, said, "We are fully geared up to meet the security challenge and all necessary precautions are being taken in view of the gathering in Sikandra."

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Induction of Raj ministers a balancing act by PM





JAIPUR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has attempted a balancing act by inducting a Gujjar and Meena in the Union ministry from Rajasthan. Both
Namonarain Meena and Sachin Pilot were inducted as ministers of state as the Congress hopes to settle the ongoing conflict between the two communities in the state. The state government has also simultaneously initiated talks with the community leaders to smoothen ruffled feathers following the reservation agitation.

Both communities were at each others throat after the Gujjars challenged the ST reservation for the Meenas and demanded their inclusion in the ST quota. Gujjars are a community presently included under OBC in Rajasthan.

After two years of agitation the Gujjars are nowhere near achieving their target and the entry of Gujjar Arakshan Sangarh Samiti convenor Col Kirori Singh Bainsla and Meena leader Kirorilal Meena had really vitiated the election scene in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur and Dausa parliamentary seats respectively.

There were reports of sporadic conflicts between the members of the two communities after complaints of booth capturing and rigging by both communities in their areas of domination.

However, following the defeat of both the Gujjar candidates ---- Col Kirori Singh Bainsla from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur and Qumer Rabbani Chechi, a Kashmiri Gujjar from Dausa, ---- the situation continues to be volatile. A defeated Col Kirori Singh Bainsla is now planning to revive the agitation raking up their demand for ST reservation.

He said Gujjars are calling a Mahapanchayat at Mehrubgarh on June 10 to decide on the future course of action on the reservation front. He told TOI, "We are planning to revive the original demand if the Bill pending with the governor is not approved."

However, following his victory the Meena chieftain Kirorilal Meena has appealed for peace and harmony between the two communities. He said both the communities have lived together in peace for centuries and some vested interest were trying to create a wedge between them raking up irrational demands.

Rajasthan home minister Shanti Dhariwal said he had begun talks and a meeting of the representatives of the two communities has been called on June 6. "I have called a meeting of the two communities to iron out their differences," Dhariwal said recently.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gurjars' 24-hour ultimatum to Goverment on reservation issue

Jaipur: The Gurjar Mahapachayat has asked the Rajasthan govenment to clear its stand on reservation to Gurjars like SC/ST within 24-hour. They have threatend to go on warpath, if government fails doing so. Mahaparav will be continued in Karauli till the end of deadline hours. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has invited Gurjar leaders for dialogue.

Reports said that deadline given by the Gurjar's will end at 5 pm today. Now the government has to take initiative for getting passed the bill related to the Gurjar reservation pending with the Governor.

The decision was taken in the Gurjars' Mahapanchayat on Sunday in Todabhim where they discussed future course of action on reservation issue. Around seven thousands Gurjars, who participated in the meeting, are still staying at the town.

Reports said that the administration has imposed section 144 in Karauti district and cops have been ordered to keep strict vigil in six adjoining districts around Karauti.

Heavy police force has been deployed in Paichata mod where 70 people lost their lives during last two agitations.

Keeping in view the past upheaval during the agitations, the government has deployed STF and RAC battalion one each in the town to avoid any untoward incident.

Leader of the Gurjar Andolan Colonel Kirorisingh Bainsla has warned of Mahapadav, sending messages to the Gurjar dominating 80 villages. He has accused government of not being serious over the Gurjars' quota bill, which is pending with the state Governor since last year.

It is worth mentioning that the issue of Gurjar's quota bill rocked the Rajasthan House recently when both ruling Congress and Opposition BJP members locked their horns leading to three adjournments over the bill, which is pending with the state Governor since last year.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gehlot invites Bainsla for talks on Gujjar reservation issue
Jaipur, Mon, 27 Jul 2009 ANI


Jaipur, July 27 (ANI): The sit-in organised by the Gujjar Reservation Action Committee to build pressure on the Rajasthan Government to get the pending ST reservation bill cleared, continued for the second day on Monday.


Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has renewed his invitation to Gujjar leader Kirodi Singh Bainsla to resume talks with the government.



In the Mahapanchayat, which began at Penchla mod near Hindon city in Karuali district on Sunday afternoon, Bainsla, spearheading the agitation for the past three years, asked Gujjars to stay back overnight for a "mahapadav".


Bainsla said the Congress government would have to provide five per cent reservation as envisaged in the bill passed by the previous BJP government.


The bill was sent to the governor, and is awaiting his assent. (ANI)

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gujjar leader agrees to talks with Gehlot on Bill


JAIPUR: Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla on Monday agreed to hold “direct talks” with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on the issue of the Bill for special reservation to Gujjars, even as the “mahapadaav” (grand siege) of the Gujjars at Penchla Mod near Hindaun town in Karauli district continued for the second day.

Col. Bainsla told reporters after two rounds of talks with senior police officers at the mahapadaav venue that the State government had shown a “positive inclination” on the issue and he had received signals that the government concurred in principle with the community’s demand for a quota in a special category.

The Gujjar supremo said he would be travelling to Jaipur with a delegation of leaders for negotiations with Mr. Gehlot, expected to be “short, crisp and to-the-point.”

“We just have to get clarifications about the Bill, which is ready and is to be signed by the Governor and implemented,” he said.

The Bill, passed in the Assembly during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party regime, provides for five per cent reservation to the Gujjars and certain other tribes as a special category and 14 per cent quota for the economically backward classes.

The Bill has since been lying with Governor S.K. Singh for his assent.

Col. Bainsla said the Gujjars were forced to organise a “mahapanchayat” and the mahapadaav, with a 24-hour ultimatum to the State government, after waiting for eight months: “There had been no response from the State government even though the Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti took up the matter a number of times.”

Col. Bainsla, who unsuccessfully fought the recent Lok Sabha election on BJP ticket from Sawai Madhopur, denied that he was under political pressure to raise the issue at this juncture.

He said the mahapadaav would continue during the talks in Jaipur.

According to the sources in the Chief Minister’s Office, the meeting of Mr. Gehlot with the Gujjar delegation is likely to be convened on Tuesday morning.

Calls on Governor


Mr. Gehlot called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Monday evening after the latter’s return here following his treatment abroad.

The situation at Penchla Mod was peaceful and under control and there were reportedly no indications of the Gujjars planning any violence.

Col. Bainsla, accompanied by another leader Capt. Hari Prasad, repeatedly called upon the mahapadaav participants to remain peaceful and maintain discipline throughout the day.

CM’s initiative


The initiative for negotiations was taken by Mr. Gehlot, who announced that there was a “standing offer” for talks with the Gujjars on the issue of reservation.

He said on the State Assembly premises that the Gujjars were free to suggest the name of any legal expert or lawyer, whose legal opinion would be sought in the matter.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Guv puts his seal on Gujjar quota Bill




JAIPUR: In a dramatic turn, Governor S K Singh on Thursday signed the Rajasthan Reservation Bill-2008, ending the deadlock over the Gujjar quota

issue, which had claimed over 70 lives in violent protests for the past two years. With this, the overall quota in government jobs in the state now stands at 69%. The Bill proposes 5% reservation for Gujjars and other three castes under the most backward category and another 14% reservation to EBCs (economically backward classes).

The governor signed the Bill after the state cabinet reportedly made a suggestion that the stamp will resolve the issue for ever and also that the Bill was as per the agenda of Congress, which too had promised reservation to the economically weaker sections. The Bill had been passed by the state assembly in August last year during the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP regime and was awaiting the Governor's signature since then.

"We welcome the governor's decision," Col (retd) Kirori Singh Bainsla, the convener of the Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti, told TOI soon after the Bill was signed on Thursday. He said he was grateful to the government, chief minister Ashok Gehlot and also to former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. "I am especially thankful to Vasundhara Raje as it was she who conceived the Bill," he added.

Gehlot said Congress was never opposed to reservation for Gujjars and also for the economically weaker sections (EWCs). "In 2003, the government led by me had requested the NDA government at the Centre to make constitutional changes for quota on economic status basis, so we had at no point of time opposed the Bill," the CM added. He said the Governor took legal opinion on the issue and signed the Bill once he was satisfied.

Leader of Opposition Vasundhara Raje termed it a victory for BJP. "The Bill had been passed unanimously. Even after that the Governor was not signing it citing some reason or the other. But all is well that ends well and I welcome the fact that the governor has signed the Bill ultimately," Raje said. She added that the governor should have done it earlier, which could have averted uproarious scenes witnessed in the state assembly recently. Three BJP legislators were suspended for their unruly behaviour while demanding the governor's signature on the Bill.

According to sorces, there was an unanimity within the Congress that the Bill should be cleared. Sonia Gandhi had also on Wednesday asked Gehlot to resolve the issue at the earliest. Gehlot had gone to Delhi on Wednesday and had apprised her about the entire issue.

Gujjars in the state have been demanding special quota in government jobs for the past two years. On July 24, they revived their agitation by organising a maha-padav (grand siege) at Hindaun town in Karauli district, demanding the Governor's immediate signature on the Bill. Later, Gujjar leader Bainsla reached Jaipur on the CM's invitation aftaer which the series of meetings started. On Wednesday, a delegation of Gujjar leaders led by energy minister Jitendra Singh met the Governor to persuade him to take a decision.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

STAFF WRITER 15:52 HRS IST
Jaipur, Oct 13 (PTI) The Rajasthan High Court has stayed the quota provided by the state government to Gurjars and other economically-backward communities as it breached the 50 per cent limit set on reservations.

A division bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and justice M N Bhandari yesterday stayed the reservation given by the state government to these communities as it exceeded the 50 per cent limit fixed for total reservation.

The order was passed on a letter petition filed by some students of University of Rajasthan.

The division bench in the order observed that "we have examined the letter in the light of the order of Supreme Court in the light of Indra Shwayani's judgement and find that the reservation granted by the government to Gurjar community and EBCs is not in consonance to the settled legal provisions and hence the excess reservation is stayed".

[zafarchaudhary]

my name is zafar chaudhary from pakistn but we all gujar from pakistan with our gujar brother in india

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Gujjars led by their leader Kirori Singh Bainsla today postponed their proposed march to Jaipur to press for quota in government jobs and decided to send a delegation for talks with the Rajasthan government to resolve the issue.

The 11-member delegation of which Col Bainsla is not a part will hold talks with the government here.

A decision to this effect was taken at a Mahapanchayat held at Gazipur in Dausa district after the Gujjars revived their agitation in support of their demand for job quotas. Five per cent job reservation is being demanded by Gujjars for them and four other communities. Among the five communities, Gujjars are in large numbers.

"If there comes any viable solution after the meeting, I will go to Jaipur to hold meeting with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot," Col Bainsla told PTI over the phone.

"Our sit-in is continued at Gazipur, and we at the moment have postponed plan to march to Jaipur and will take decision later accordingly," he added.

The government meanwhile has made elaborate security arrangements and deployed forces around the city to restrict entry of Gujjars in case they march towards the state capital.

"Extra forces including Border Security Force, Border Home Guard, Rasthan Armed Constabulary are standing guard in the city to restrict the entry of Gujjars," IG-Jaipur Range IBL Soni told PTI.

Gujjars led by Bainsla had on Tuesday held a sit-in in Gazipur. Bainsla had said that lakhs of people from his community would march towards Jaipur if their demand of reservation was not fulfilled.

Rajasthan High Court had in October last year stayed the quota in jobs and educational institution in the state for the Gujjars and people of economically backward classes.

The Court yesterday asked the state government what action it had taken for security ahead of the proposed agitation and march to Jaipur by the Gurjar community.

Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice MN Bhandari wanted to know what security arrangements had been made to protect public property from damage during the agitation.

[dipakgurjar]

TALKING BETWEEN GURJAR LEADERS & RAJASTHAN GOVT BEGIN AGAIN(TODAY) 2.30 pm .FINAL DECISION IS STILL AWAITED

Attachments:

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

A much awaited dialogue between a Gujjar delegation led by Col Kirori Singh Bainsala and three member ministerial committee began at Rajasthan secretariat on Saturday to find out the solution of Gujjars'demand to provide five percent reservation in the government jobs.
Col Bainsala will hold final round of talks with Rajasthan Chief minister Ashok Gehlot if any tangible solution was found out by the both sides.
Col Bainsala along with his close aids had reached Jaipur in the afternoon and went to secretariat after receiving an invitation from the government to start the dialogue.
Prior to entering the conference hall in the secretariat , Col Bainsala told HT “I am optimist about the outcome of the talks with the ministerial committee which will lead to the final discussion with the chief minister to clinch the issue of jobs reservations in the government.”
Col Baiansala had sent a delegation to Jaipur on Friday which held the first round of talks with the state government nominees to find a via media on the Gurjar demand for five per cent reservation and providing the government breathing space from a possibly violent agitation.
An 11 member-delegation was accompanied by the collectors of Karauli and Dausa.
State power minister Jitendra Singh, state transport minister Brij Kishore Sharma, home secretary Pradeep Sen and other officials were present from the government side for the talks that took place in the Vidhan Sabha.
After the dialogue, two senior ministers-- Singh and Sharma said that talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and both side tried to narrow down the difference on various demands of agitating community.
Meanwhile ,the 'mahapadav' by the Gurjar community in Alwar, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi and Gazipur continued. The people who had gathered at the various places were waiting for the outcome of the talks and directions from Col Bainsala for the next move.
Going by the number of people who have assembled at Gazipur ,110 Kms and east of jaipur , Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla is up for a disappointment.
But those who have turned up seem determined to convey a strong message to the government.
Sitting in the open under scorching sun, 80-year-old Mangi Lal, a resident of Gajipur Khawda, said, “Goli chala do chati par, par arakshan de do (shoot us in the chest, but give us reservation). We are fighting for our rights.”
“Parties don’t matter. Congress or Bharatiya Janta Party, they all are same. All we need is the five per cent reservation,” Lal said, puffing a beedi.
Attar Singh Tajpur, the district president of Arakshan Samiti, Karauli, was more emphatic. He said, “We just want five per cent reservation. That’s it. We don’t know if it is court or the government is facing some other hurdles. We are illiterate and we just know that it is our right and it should be given to us.”
A majority of the protesters were sitting, chatting and puffing hooka in a leisurely manner, and occasionally listening to the latest updates on talks between the community and the government in Jaipur.
Addressing a group of youth, Attar Singh Chavari, president of Morcha of Arakshan Samiti, said, “We have to abide by the directions of our leader, Bainsla. We are fighting for our community’s right.”
Jag Mohan Gurjar, a youth, apparently not aware of Bainsla’s insistence of Gandhian way of agitation, said, “This will be our final take. The agitation would be more aggressive than the last one, if government doesn’t accept our demands.”
Gajipur Khawda (Dausa):
The men in uniform could be seen on all roads leading to Jaipur. Tight security arrangments were made looking into the warning of Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla, who would march to Jaipur along with people of his community over the reservation issue, if current talk fails.
Barricading has been done at various places in the city, along with at the entry points to the city. Heavy police force has been deployed at various places.
Jaipur Range Inspector General of Police BL Soni said, “We have beefed up the security. Senior officers have been deployed at all roads leading to Jaipur and we are keeping a watch on the situation.”
“There is deployment of sufficient police personnel to stop any untoward incident and breach of peace. We will take action depending on the situation,” he added.
During the last Gujjar agitation in May 2008, Railways suffered heavy damages as Gujjar protesters stopped the railway track and even uprooted the rails.
Looking to the previous experience, the North Western Railway (NWR) has taken certain precautionary measures.
NWR chief public relations officer Lalit Bohra said that railway officers have set up a control room to keep a vigil on the situation.
Gujjars demands ---5 percent reservation in government jobs, Withdrawal of cases registered against protestors during previous gujjar agitation in 2008 ,compensation to those killed owing to police firing, jobs to kin of the dceased and relase of jailed leaders.

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Thousands of Gurjars, led by Kirori Singh Bhainsla, started their march to Jaipur on Sunday.
The march started from Gudla village in Karauli. Covering a distance of nearly 60 km, they reached Hindaun city, where the rally changed into a padaav (sit-in) with the protesters camping on the open grounds of Government College.
The protesters are demanding 5% reservation in government jobs for their community.
Speaking to DNA after reaching Hindaun, Bhainsla said, “Our peaceful march towards Jaipur will resume tomorrow [Sunday] morning. We will be covering 10-12 km everyday.” The Gurjar leader said the path for the rally would be decided on a day-to-day basis, but was likely to pass through Mahuwa.
The state government, on the other hand, is trying to solve the reservation issue by initiating dialogues and peace talks. Karauli collector, Neeraj K Pawan was sent to invite the Gurjar leader for peace dialogues in Jaipur. Cabinet minister Jitendra Singh, who also hails from the community, appealed for peace.
Bhainsla, however, told DNA, “They [government emissaries] have been talking to us regularly, but now it is time to get some results from these talks. They should give us 5% quota in jobs.”
However, Bhainsla, too, has mellowed down in his demands. Till now, the community was demanding 5% reservation for Gurjars, Garia-Lohar, Banjaras and Rebaris even if that meant exceeding the 50% cap on total reservation put by the Supreme Court. Bhainsla now has agreed to seek reservation within the overall legal limit.
“We want 5% quota within the 50% limit, and for that we are always open to talks with the government,” said Roop Singh, a close aide of Bhainsla.
Meanwhile, taking into consideration the violent history of past Gurjar agitations, Rajasthan police are leaving no stone unturned to avoid any untoward incident. As the protesters under Bhainsla left for Hindaun around mid-day on Sunday, the police increased its patrolling along the national highway as well as the rail tracks passing through the Gurjar-dominated areas of Karauli and Dausa districts. The residents of villages lying along the marchers’ path, on the other hand, welcomed Bhainsla by singing songs in his praise. Bhainsla received a rousing welcome even in Meena-dominated villages of Kotkar and Todupura

[Krishan Kumar Gurjar - Lohmod]

Bhainsla threatens to intensify agitation going on at hindaun

The Gurjars and the Rajasthan government lost patience with each other when both ruled out further talks on the 5% quota issue, at least in the near future, late Monday night.
A 13-member delegation of Gurjars under Harprasad and Roop Singh left the venue Cabinet minister Jitendra Singh’s residence in Civil Lines infuriated, and with a clear warning to intensify the agitation going on at Hindaun.
Harprasad the right hand man of Gurjar leader Kirori Singh Bhainsla issued an ultimatum to the state government to announce 5% quota, within the 50% Constitutional limit, to Gurjars by 8am on Tuesday or face consequences. “After 8am, the state government shall be responsible for any untoward incident,” Harprasad thundered before the media, suggesting that the Gurjar agitation going on for the past 21 days could take a violent turn.
Minister Jitendra Singh, on the other hand, replied: “They (Bhainsla and his supporters) want 5% quota in five minutes. This is not possible; even the President of India cannot do it.”
On the 8am deadline given by Gurjars, the minister replied, “No world war will break out if the government does not respond within that time.”
Singh categorically ruled out any further invitation from the government to Bhainsla for talks. “We will not send anyone now; at least till there is some legal solution in sight,” Singh elaborated.
At the talks, the Gurjars insisted that the government assure them of 5% quota after taking out 4% from the 21% share of OBCs and clubbing it with the 1% remaining unused within the 50% limit. “We have a right in the OBC share, but we leave it for the government to decide from where to get the 4% needed to fulfil our demand,” Harprasad told reporters.
The state government, nevertheless, stuck to its line of increasing vacancies by 5% to safeguard Gurjar interests till the matter was settled by the court.
Bhainsla, along with thousands of supporters, was camping at Hindaun since Sunday evening, after marching from village Gudla in Karauli district. Bhainsla and his men are demanding 5% quota in government jobs and educational institutions, even though the high court has stayed execution of the reservation Act that provided the benefit to the community along with Banjaras, Garia-Lohars and Rebaris. The Gurjars were invited for talks for the third time in the past fortnight. “But the government did not do any homework before calling us. It is not only misleading the Gurjars but also citizens of the state,” Roop Singh, close aide of Bhainsla told reporters. The talks first broke down around 8:30pm when the Gurjar delegation walked out of the meeting room. But soon, home minister Shanti Dhariwal and Jitendra Singh persuaded them to stay, while they consulted chief minister Ashok Gehlot. The talks were resumed around 9pm, but within five minutes Dhariwal left the venue visibly upset.