GUJJARS UP IN REVOLT AGAIN IN RAJASTHAN

Gujjars in Rajasthan are up in arms again. Last time they took up cudgels was in 2008 led by their indomitable leader Kisori Singh Bensal. Then Rajasthan was under the rule of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vasundhara Raje Sindhia. The Gujjars were demanding reservation in govt jobs and the then govt under BJP outrightly rejecting it. Vasundhara Raje, the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan tried her level best to suppress the agitation but the Gujjars couldn’t be cowed down. Rajasthan literally burned bringing life to a stand-still and Jaipur-Mumbai rail traffic came to a halt for several days as the Gujjars laid siege to prominent govt departments and resultant efforts of the then govt to forcibly remove them met with stiff resistance and in the ensuing clash almost 70 persons succumbed to injuries. Col.Kisori Singh Bensal is a man of steely resolve and he along with his followers blocked the rail-traffic from Jaipur-Mumbai by sitting on the rail tracks. Col.Kisori Singh Bensal is held in high esteem by the Gujjar community and whatever he orders them to do is followed in its letter and spirit. At least govt made a climb-down and extended an olive branch to Col.Bensal and in the talks that followed, situation brought back to near normality. Government agreed to Gujjars demand and enacted a legislation in the assembly to reserve 5% jobs in govt departments. Since then a luck pervaded and now in 2010, the riots have erupted again with Gujjars demanding 5 percent reservation in govt jobs as the Rajasthan High Court suspended the legislation for one year in order to establish the backwardness of Gujjar Community. The High Court action was a jolt to the State govt under Ashok Gehlot of the Indian National Congress as well as the Gujjars. The Chief Minister Mr.Gehlot though was ready to accommodate the demand of Gujjars the High Court has suspended the agreement for one year within one year the backwardness of Gujjar community has to be established as per the court order.
The verdict is not acceptable to the Gujjars and they have decided to continue the agitation with double the force and laid siege to the rail-tracks connecting Jaipur with Mumbai and Col.Kisori Bensal along with his fellow Gujjars remain entrenched on the rail-tracks blocking the Jaipur-Mumbai rail journey as long as their demand is met. Trains are delayed as a consequence and many trains are cancelled. Though a Jat leader appeared as a mediator but Col.Kisori Bensal didn’t back track from his stand and the agitation is being continued with renewed vigour.
Taking into account the explosive situation prevailing in Rajasthan, Centre has rushed 1500 paramilitary forces to lend support to the Rajasthani police to tackle the situation.
Rajasthan like any other North Indian State is being inhabited by many backward communities and hence the High Court has ordered that before extending 5% reservation to Gujjars their backwardness be established. If the demand of the Gujjars is being met before establishing its backwardness naturally other backward communities will follow suit and that must be the reason being court suspending the reservation for one year favouring Gujjars. Now that three days have passed since the agitation began and we are at a loss to know whether the agitation will last long or suppressed by the government or a solution is insight.