The Protesting Gurjar Community on Saturday called off its ongoing agitation ‘rasta roko’ dharna at Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan demanding the implementation of the per cent reservation that was promised to them by the Rajasthan government.
Informing about the called off, Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla said, ‘The agitation concludes today in the interest of the nation. I request that all the blockades across Rajasthan be removed immediately’
Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla: The agitation concludes today in the interest of the nation. I request that all the blockades across Rajasthan be removed immediately. pic.twitter.com/X1JGpGHzxc
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019
The government has accepted our demands. We are calling off the protest,” added Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla.
For the last 10 days, the state has witnessed intense protests by Gujjar Community. The protest, led by Kirori Singh Bainsla, had pushed the Railway connectivity on edge with many Trains affected.
The Gujjar Community called off the agitation following a bill was passed in the Rajasthan assembly on Wednesday earmarking five per cent reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions. Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot had said, “I want to congratulate Rajasthan government as we have passed the Gujjar reservation bill. The Gujjar community was waiting for so long. It is a historic moment for us.”
बंजारा/बालदिया/लबाना, गाडिया लोहार/गाडोलिया, गुर्जर/गुजर, राइका/रैबारी/देबासी और गडरिया/गाडरी/गायरी को 5% आरक्षण दिलाने हेतु राज्य सरकार ने सदन के पटल पर बिल प्रस्तुत किया था जिसे सर्वसम्मति से पारित कर दिया गया। इसी संदर्भ में आज शाम प्रदेश के प्रतिनिधियों ने मुलाक़ात की pic.twitter.com/aXhV8jCbdn
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) February 13, 2019
The Congress Rajasthan Government earlier took a quick cognizance on the issue has formed a three-member committee comprising cabinet ministers Raghu Sharma, Vishvendra Singh, and Master Bhanwar Lal to lead parleys with the Gujjar community.
The then State Government in 2017 had assured the Gujjar community of 5 per cent reservation in a special category after a bout of agitation.
It had planned to expand the reservation for Other Backward Classes from 21 per cent to 26 per cent and give 5 per cent reservation to Gujjars and other castes. After the expansion, the total reservation in the state would have crossed the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
The Gujjar Community ever since has held 4 protests from 2007 to 2015. In 2007 and 2008, more than 70 people had died in the clashes during the agitation. In 2010 and 2015 though, only rail and road traffic was disrupted.
The then BJP Government in 2017 passed the bill to raise the reservation for the OBC by five per cent now making it to 26% from 21% with a voice vote. However, the Bill introduced by the Rajasthan government was challenged by the opposition and would also be taken to court. After which, Rajasthan High Court put a stay.
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