Gujjars stage protest rally in Delhi demanding Scheduled Tribe status

Gujjars staged a huge protest rally here today demanding Scheduled Tribe status for their community that would entitle them to reservations in top educational institutions in the country.

New Delhi, Nov 3 : Gujjars staged a huge protest rally here today demanding Scheduled Tribe status for their community that would entitle them to reservations in top educational institutions in the country.

Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla said that the entire community is together in its fight to get its due.

"I am happy to see the success of the rally," said Bainsla.

The Gujjars are annoyed that the Rajasthan Government extended the term of the Chopra Committee set up to look into the Gujjars' demands by three months just before its expiry in September.

The protesters said that the government has just been buying time without doing anything meaningful for the community.

"They earlier asked for three months' time. Then they extended it to three more months," said Sukhbir Singh Jonapuria, a legislator and National President of Committee for Gujjars' Reservation.

The Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee was appointed as per the agreement reached between the community and the State Government, to pacify the violent agitation by Gujjars in June.

The community members alleged that the Government has failed in providing adequate compensation to the families of victims of the police action during the June agitation.

"No member of the community has received any compensation, nor has any police official, who manhandled the protesters been suspended," said Sukhbir Singh.

ANI