Other States - Rajasthan   

Gujjars call off proposed rally

JAIPUR: Gujjars have called off their proposed “Mahapadaav” (siege) in Jaipur and the blockade of the Jaipur-Agra national highway near Bharatpur on Monday in support of their demand for the Scheduled Tribe status after the Rajasthan Government’s “assurance” to hold a dialogue on the issue was conveyed to them.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Bharatpur, Vishwendra Singh, mediating between the two sides, assured Gujjars on Saturday that the State Government would discuss the issue of reservation to the community with all Core Group members of the Joint Gujjar Reservation Action Committee.

The two factions of Gujjars, who had given the call for protest demonstrations, were also assured that the State Government would look into the possibility of sending another recommendation to the Centre to extend the quota facility to Gujjars, after its recent letter to the Prime Minister, on the basis of a Cabinet resolution and withdraw criminal cases slapped on Gujjar leaders.

Gujjar leader Atar Singh Bhadana said the Jaipur siege had been postponed for 10 days to give time to the Government to resolve the issue. Another leader, Shriram Baisla, said at Halaina in Bharatpur district that the proposed blockade near the Mainoli bridge on the highway had been deferred.

The State Government, which had launched a crackdown against Gujjar leaders and arrested about 600 of them till Saturday night, is likely to release all of them shortly. According to the official sources, the National Security Act would not be brought into force as of now.

All-India Gujjar Sangharsh Samiti chief patron Kirori Singh Bainsla, who had threatened to sit on a “fast unto death” from Sunday, was reportedly convinced by some leaders in New Delhi to withdraw the call for the highway blockade in the interest of unity of the community.

Mr. Vishwendra Singh assured the Gujjar leaders that Jats in the State would support their agitation if nothing concrete comes out after 10 days. The Prahlad Gunjal faction was peeved at its total exclusion from the State Government’s previous parleys with Mr. Bainsla and his associates.

The postponement of protest demonstrations has brought a welcome respite to the people of the State, who witnessed large-scale violence on the issue last year resulting in the death of 26 persons. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje reviewed the law and order situation at a meeting here with Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria and senior administrative and police officers. The reports of the proposed siege and blockade had led to a sharp decline in the arrival of tourists in the State.

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