Gurjar agitation for reservation is still not coming to an end. It all started 10 years back in 2008 when the protest for reservation by Gurjar community of Rajasthan began. In last decade, this community has put forward this demand multiple times. Now, the latest announced by Gurjar leaders from May 15, it seems that Rajasthan is going to smoulder again. Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
Gujjars have warned the state government on reservation issue knowing that this year will be very crucial for the state government due to Vidhan Sabha 2018 polls. In fact, other communities are likely to ask for reservation quota. In the Jhalawar area, Rajputs organized a meeting and warned it to launch the agitation. Lets’ have a look on past details and present scenario in Rajasthan. Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
Gurjar warned government
In a meeting held on May 6 at Bayana (Bharatpur), the announcement to revive the protest was made. The meeting was attended by senior leaders including Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla. BJP was criticized in the meeting and the community mentioned their motive of protest. Gujjar leaders pointed out that till now no results have been yielded. If government failed to meet their demands then they would protest. It was decided the protest would be started at Pilukapura, Bayana from May 15.
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Talking about the details of the movement, it will be planned on 15th May. To intensify the protest, various tribute meetings will be held like on May 24 in Dausa, on 29th May in Patoli-Peephekheda and 30th May on Sawai Madhopur.
Demands of Gurjar from Rajasthan Government
Gurjars along with four other castes were given one percent reservation under MBC (more backward classes) due to 50% reservation cap by Supreme Court. Hence, Gurjar is now demanding the bifurcation of 21% OBC. It is being demanded that the OBC bifurcation should be done in such a way that the castes which are taking more advantage should be given less percent. The 5 castes, including Gurjar, were given 5% reservation in Special Backward Classes (SBCs), they should be given 5% reservation by classifying OBCs.
Central Government formed committee
The emphasis for bifurcation of OBC by Gurjar made the central government to constitute a committee to resolve this issue. Uttar Pradesh government has started working towards the bifurcation of OBCs making Gujjars ask to apply in Rajasthan. In the electoral year, Gujjars have given ultimatum to either classify OBCs in Rajasthan or be ready to face consequences.
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Why does Gurjar community choose summer for protest? Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
It always strikes people why this community chooses Summer’s scorching heat for agitation. As villagers have no work left after harvesting wheat crop. This will be beneficial for protest add more and more people have been called to join the movement.
Gurjars in Rajasthan Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
Gujjars are basically farming and trading community. In Rajasthan, Gujjars have been kept in OBC. The Gurjar community feels it has been economically and educationally left behind and it wants to be reclassified as a Scheduled Tribe so to get government jobs and state college seats reserved solely for such groups. This demand was the biggest factor of commencement of protest in 2008. They also claimed that they are not given as much importance as Jats and Meenas have been given. Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
SC, ST and OBC in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, the total population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is more than 31% whereas the total reservation of both classes is only 28%. Similarly, the OBC population is said to be above 50% but only 21% reservation is being given to these castes. In fact, Jats and Meenas are the biggest beneficiaries of OBC reservation.
This agitation had taken lives of many people. In order to get their demands fulfilled, gurjar community had blocked the rails and roads and made lives of commoners uneasy. They had damaged public property. Crores of rupees have been wasted due the agitation from last ten years. Almost every time except loss, nothing has been achieved. It will be interesting to see if this reservation turns fruitful or not. Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan
