Gujjars ends agitation

Traffic returned to normal condition in Rajasthan and neighbouring states on Thursday as the Gujjars lifted blockades on railway tracks and highways ending their 17-day agitation following a government assurance to find a solution to the demand for five per cent job reservation for the community.

In a signed agreement the Rajasthan government has stated that it would move a special review petition in Rajasthan high court to give 5 per cent reservation in jobs for Gujjars and three castes- Gadia-Lohar, Banjara and Raikas.

The high court recently rejected the quota as it exceeded the limit of 50 per cent.

Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, who was spearheading the agitation, said the movement had been withdrawn after talks with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and a Committee of Ministers appointed by the state.

“The government has promised that the quantifiable data shall be ready within six months. Four per cent backlog will be kept while one per cent reservation will continue. Many other facilities for students have also been promised,” he said.

Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal said they would move the HC for considering the five per cent reservation under Special Backward Classes (SBC) for Gujjars, Gadia Lohar, Raika-Rebari, and Banjara in Rajasthan till the quantifiable data exercise is completed.

He said that the government will complete the quantifiable data collection within six months and submit it to the OBC commission as directed by the HC on Dec 22 last year.

“If the court rejects the review petition then it will approach the Supreme Court to get relief for Gujjars and three other castes,” Higher education minister Jitender Singh, a member of the negotiating committee said.

The government said one per cent reservation for these communities will continue (under the reservation ceiling of 50 per cent) and four per cent vacancies will be kept reserved for Special Backward Class and will be filled later accordingly.

The government has already announced that it will start recruitment for one lakh vacant posts in the state services keeping reserved four per cent of the jobs under SBC category.

The agitation, which began on Dec 20, had disrupted locomotives and road traffic in Rajasthan and spilled over to Delhi, Mumbai and other rest of the country.

The agitation also caused heavy loss to the tourism sector.