Gujjar agitation now threatens Delhi

Gujjars’ agitation disrupted train and bus services in Rajasthan for straight 10th day and threatens to spill over to the national capital later on Wednesday.

The stand off between the ruling Congress government headed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and the Gujjar leaders continued since Dec 20 over conceding 5 per cent job reservation for ethnic people.

It has has already cast a telling effect on the economy of the state and heavily affected the transportation system with the protesters blocking road and tracks.

The North Western Railways had diverted scores of trains on alternative routes and cancelled many as the protesters blocked rail tracks at different places affecting traffic to Mumbai, Delhi and other metropolitan cities of the country.

The Gujjar leaders have threatened to bring their protests to Delhi, demanding among other things 5 % quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

They planned to hold a ‘mahapanchayat’ in Delhi.

Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla has announced a deadline of seven days for the administration to come up with a “permanent solution.”

Meanwhile, Gehlot has hinted at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instigating the agitation. He said he would check up if the Opposition party was involved in the protests.

The stir hit hard on transport industry and supply of goods in Rajasthan with several thousand trucks stranded at various places.

The Indian Railways have so far refunded over Rs. 2 crore following cancellation of tickets in the wake of the agitation.

Bus services at many palces were disrupted. Roadways sources said five buses were attacked by Gujjars on Jaipur-Delhi National Highway.

Gehlot said: “There are some reports that the ploy to spread unrest in the state by reviving the Gujjar agitation for reservations was hatched during the marriage of BJP president Nitin Gadkari’s son in Nagpur recently. But I do not know who all attended the marriage from here. We will get it checked.”