Gujjar agitation enters 5th day

NEW DELHI | JAIPUR: A day-long bandh called by Gujjars in support of their demand for 5% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions hit vehicular traffic in Dausa district, even as Gadia Luhar community joined the stir which entered the fifth day on Friday.

The bandh in Dausa hit the transportation on the Dausa-Bharatpur-Agra highway, but there is no report of any violence or blockade so far.

A Gujjar community leader was quoted as saying: “We will take our 5% reservation from the state government at any cost. The milk supply from Mathura district to Rajasthan and Delhi will be disrupted. Gujjars are united for this cause.” Meanwhile, Rajasthan Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal appealed to the community to call off their stir. He said 1% reservation for Gujjars in educational institutions and state services’ recruitment would continue to be in effect.

“The state government is committed to giving these communities 5% reservation and we appeal Gujjar leaders to withdraw the agitation and come forward to assist us in arranging the quantifiable data in order to submit it in OBC commission as directed by the high court,” Dhariwal told reporters.

“We also want to advise prominent Gujjar leaders to not to play with the career of young Gujjars and immediately call off the agitation. They should understand the fact that if young people are booked in any case during the ongoing stir, it could spoil their career,” he said.