Many Gujjars in Dausa feel the agreement between the Rajasthan government and their leaders is a 'mere eyewash'.
DAUSA: Caught at the crossroads with their agitation to press for ST status being brought to a sudden halt, many Gujjars in this district from where the violent protests spread feel the agreement between the Rajasthan government and their leaders is a 'mere eyewash'.
Though some hail the government's decision to set up a committee headed by a retired high court judge to examine the demand for ST status, others say the loss of live, property and business in the past week is immense and the clock cannot be turned back.
"It is a mere eyewash. They have again constituted a committee which after some months might say Gurjars are not entitled to ST status," said Umaid Singh Gujjar who has been taking part in road blockade agitations on National Highway 11 at Bhandarej Mode, some 40 km from here.
He said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje promised them ST status when she was contesting elections and "now has succeeded in pressurising the Gujjar community".
Another protestor Vijay Singh said, "If the government had to come to this, there was no reason for us to protest" while hundreds of others gathered at Sikandara Mode said the community felt the government had "cheated" them.
Townspeople of Dausa complained the violence between the Gujjars and Meenas hit business real hard.
"I do not care what the government has done and what was the demand of the Gujjars. I only know it exacted a heavy toll on normal life across the state and the prices of essentials shot up. Who is responsible?" said local businessman Priti Pal Singh.
Ramkishor Meena, a student, accused the government of "playing with the sentiments of Meenas and Gujjars and adopting the policy of divide-and-rule. If the government fails to bring about in due course of time, the Gujjars will again create trouble".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}