Protests by the Gujjar community demanding reservation in Rajasthan, which erupted on Friday, have continued on Saturday morning. On Saturday morning, Gujjars blocked railway tracks in Sawai Madhopur.
The Western Central Railway announced on Saturday that seven trains in Kota Division had been diverted due to the blockade of railway tracks by Gujjars.
The agitation by the Gujjars was called by community leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, who had demanded five per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Gujjar, Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar, Banjara and Gadaria communities.
In January, Bainsla had given a 20-day ultimatum to the state government to clear its stance on the quota demand; the deadline ended on Friday. Bainsla declared, “People cannot be fooled all the time. It is a fight to do or die. The state government should stand on its promise. It will be a peaceful protest.”
Bainsla has led previous agitations by the Gujjar community, which have erupted sporadically over two decades.
After the Gujjar protest started, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace. Additional police personnel have been deployed to the Bharatpur range, which covers Sawai Madhopur on account of the Gujjar agitation.
Gehlot also said his government was ready to hold talks with the Gujjar protesters. PTI quoted Congress sources as saying a committee—comprising Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh, Social Justice Minister Master Bhanwar Lal and senior government officials—had been formed to talk to the Gujjar protesters.
(With PTI inputs)
