Rajasthan government made an effort to settle Gujjars’ demand for SBC (Special Backward Classes) quota by providing them optimal alternatives. The plan backfired when the self-proclaimed Gujjar leaders boycotted a state-level conversation planned by Rajasthan cabinet sub-committee. The alleged Gujjar leaders including the chief antagonist in Rajasthan Gujjar agitation, Kirori Singh Bainsla accused the government of backtracking on its promises. He threatened Raje government that if their community doesn’t get reservation under separate SBC quota within 50% limit, Rajasthan Gurjars will launch a mass agitation against the government.
Since the Government can’t Cross the Supreme Court, it Intended to Add More Perks to Dev Narayan Scheme…
All this started when the Rajasthan high court struck down Gujjar reservation under SBC quota last December. Thereafter, the state government volunteered to represent their proposal in the Supreme Court. The government filed a PIL in the apex court, pleading the judiciary to grant the requests of Gujjars in Rajasthan. However, finding their demands unreasonable and unconstitutional, the SC refused to grant a stay on high court’s order.
Following the SC’s verdict, Rajasthan Gurjars as well as four other communities in SBC category were deprived of SBC reservations. Finding no alternative against the SC’s verdict, Raje government plans to add new perks to the state-run Dev Narayan Scheme.
Rajasthan government’s Dev Narayan scheme for Gujjars include reformatory measures like monetary help for business, free education, scholarships and other beneficial measures. The scheme was launched with the sole purpose of uplifting the status of Gujjars in Rajasthan. Since the Gujjars were put back in the general category for a while, the government planned to extend the benefits to their community via Dev Narayan Scheme.
Nevertheless, Gujar leaders like Bainsla, who aim to rewrite history for their selfish gains, denied state government’s call for meeting.
Bainsla Perhaps Forgot that CM Raje was the One who Granted Gujjar Reservation in Rajasthan…
Ironically, these leaders are accusing Raje government of turning a blind eye to their requests, when they were the ones who granted their request in the first place. Earlier, the Gurjars were included in the OBC category, which is entitled to receive just 21% reservation in educational institutes and government jobs. However, Raje government removed them from the OBC category. She transferred them to the SBC group, where they received 5% extra quota.
The Rajasthan Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which played an active role in 2008’s Gujjar agitation threatened the government of launching another protest. The demands put up Bainsla included the restoration of OBC status for Gurjars. They wanted a bifurcation of OBC category to include 5% SBC quota within the 50% limit set by the Supreme Court, which is unconstitutional.
In an attempt to resolve this issue peacefully, cabinet minister H.S. Bhadana, Arun Chaturvedi and Rajendra Rathore decided to hold discussions with the Gurjars. But Bainsla and his troops are hell-bent on launching violent protests, in an attempt to emerge as a messiah for Rajasthan Gurjars.
The government is now trying to approach the members of Gujjar communities for help. They plan to extend the benefits of Dev Narayan scheme to Gurjars in backward regions to prevent any injustice. Hopefully this move will help the communities to differentiate between the selfish intentions of notorious elements like Bainsla and the practical approach of state government in this regard.
