Gujjars unhappy over deal with Raje

Criticising Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, senior Gujjar leader Mukhiya Gujjar on Friday charged him with signing a 'one-sided deal' under pressure and without consulting other Gujjar leaders, leaving the community 'highly dissatisfied.'

Gujjar Panchayat leaders from all over Rajasthan have congregated here to plan their future strategy over their demand of Scheduled Tribe status, in the face of opposition from Meena community.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the 'one-sided deal' with the state government, Akhil Bharatiya Pathik Sena's national president Mukhiya Gujjar said, "Col Bainsla, who signed the deal under pressure, has left crores of Gujjars disgruntled. When the Gujjar agitation for ST status, reached its peak, Col Bainsla signed the deal without any consultations with other Gujjar leaders."

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the Panchayat meet, Gujjar said the reservation issue is not limited to just Rajasthan but has crossed its borders and has become a national movement for rights.

Calling the three-member panel formed by the government to look into Gujjar demands 'a farce,' he claimed that the government was trying to mislead the community through it, noting that in 2005 also a committee was formed to look into Gujjars' demands on reservation.

"In the face of widespread protests, the government has once again formed a committee, whose outcome is not likely to have any impact," he added.

Mukhiya Gujjar said under the agreement, all cases were supposed to be withdrawn but the BJP government has not only gone back on its promise but is arresting Gujjar youths randomly. A case has even been lodged against Col Bainsla, he noted.  

"It is surprising that no action has been taken against Food and Supply Minister Dr Kirori Lal Meena, despite him inciting the Meenas to fight against Gujjars, which could have led to violent caste wars," he said, alleging that this clearly indicated that the government is prejudiced and has preference for Meenas."

"The agitation is far from over and this is just the intervening period before the start of the next phase," he asserted.

Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha national vice-president Gopichand Gujjar charged Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of pressurising Bainsla and Dr Roop Singh to sign the deal.

He said the national working committee of ABGM will meet in Delhi on June 10 to decide further action in this regard.