Jaipur: The Gujjar community is Rajasthan has yet again stepped up its demand for reservation in jobs. Over 1000 members of the Gujjar community led by Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla have blocked railway tracks at Pilupura since Thursday.
They are demanding that the Rajasthan government give them quota in all government institutions within the 50 per cent cap issued by the Supreme Court. The protests are being held despite the state government expressing its readiness to hold talks over the issue.
As a result of the agitation, at least 9 trains have been affected on the Bharatpur route. Alternate arrangements had to be made as several trains were diverted. The Gujjars have threatened they will further hamper railway operations if their demands are not met.
The community had earlier undertaken a major agitation over the issue in 2007, 2008 and 2010 in which over 72 people had lost their lives.
Bainsla, along with other community members had launched a 'Nyay Yatra' on May 11 covering areas like Karauli and Dausa which culminated in Bharatpur on Thursday after which the decision was taken to launch the 'Mahapadav'.
Bainsla addressed the community members in a village in Bharaptur after which the decision to start the agitation was taken, said Himmat Singh, the spokesperson of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti.
"Our members have blocked railway tracks and the agitation will be called off only after the demands are met. The government has betrayed us on this issue and it is for the government to find out a way to provide us five per cent reservation within the legal limit of 50 per cent," he said.
Nearly 2,000 people have gathered on the tracks, about 40 kms from the district headquarters, police said. Police has been deployed in strength in the area to maintain law and order.
Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria the matter was subjudice and the community members should understand this. "We have already said that the doors of the government are always open for talks. If they want to talk to the government, we are open for it," he said.
Meanwhile, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that the Gujjar leaders should hold talks with the government peacefully without indulging in violence.
Gujjars have in the past, too, launched several agitations to press for their demands of reservation. After agitations and legal battle, they got one per cent reservation within 50 per cent limit and the issue of remaining four per cent was pending.
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