Call off stir, assist in data collection: Rajasthan home minister

Rajasthan home minister Shanti Dhariwal today said 1% reservation for Gujjars in educational institutions and state services' recruitment would continue to be in effect and asked the community to call off their agitation.

"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 Other Backward Class (OBC) commission as directed by the high court," Dhariwal told reporters.

"One per cent reservation in educational institutions and state services' recruitment, as per the state government's order, will continue," he said.

Dhariwal said Gujjars should call off the agitation in the interest of all, including them.

"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.

Terming the incident of stone pelting in Bandikui in Dausa as "not very serious", Dhariwal said the government was trying to solve the issue peacefully.

"The government is ready for talks if they wish to hold talks and come here. Officials are in constant touch with Gujjars and we hope that the issue will be resolved amicably," he said.

The Rajasthan high court has asked the government to complete the quantifiable data collection exercise within a year to justify the quota for Gujjars under the Special Backward Class category.