Gujjars protest in Delhi demanding Scheduled Tribe status

Gujjars took out a 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, Oct 6 : Gujjars took out a protest rally here today demanding Scheduled Tribe status for their community that would entitle them to reservations in top educational institutions in the country.

The protestors under the banner of the Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Sangram Samiti (ABGSS) marched to the BJP head office in Delhi and demanded the dismissal of the Vasundhara Raje Government in Rajasthan.

Gujjars alleged that they have been denied the promises made by the BJP at the time of Rajasthan Assembly polls.

"BJP leaders and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje promised before the Assembly elections in different Gujjar rallies to give tribal status to them (Gujjars) if they come to power in Rajasthan," said Ramveer Singh Bidhuri, a lawmaker.

They shouted slogans and burnt an effigy of Raje to express their anger.

"Government is using oppressive measures to insult our leaders," said Yasweer Singh, Secretary General of a Gujjar organisation in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Gujjars jammed roads in Rajasthan in protest against the "ill-treatment" of members of their community arrested on October 2.

Thousands of Gujjars courted arrest in their "jail bharo" movement in several parts of Rajasthan on October 2 to force the government to promulgate a law recognising them as Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Around 65,000 Gujjars, including community leaders, Kirori Singh Bhainsla and Prahlad Gunjal, had courted arrest and are still lodged in jails.

Milk supply has been severely affected in eastern Rajasthan due to many of them still being lodged in jail.

Bharatpur, Dausa, Karauli, Baran, Kota and Ajmer are the worst affected areas.

The last violent agitation by Gujjars in June claimed at least 25 lives. To pacify the violent agitation, the Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee was appointed as per the agreement reached between the community and the State Government to look into the Gujjars' demands.

But, the Rajasthan Government extended the term of the Chopra Committee by three months, just before its expiry last month. This has further annoyed the Gujjars.

ANI