Rajasthan: Gurjars want May 19 pact annulled, threaten protest

The ink on the agreement between the state government and Gurjar group led by Kirori Singh Bainsla has not even dried and rival faction has come out against the agreement, calling for its annulment and has also threatened to launch another agitation. If the government fails to provide five per cent reservation, a countrywide agitation will be launched by the reservation demanding group from August 1.  

It was on May 19, the government had signed a 16-point agreement with Bainsla’s Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti after which it postponed its proposed agitation from May 23. A rival Gurjar faction, All India Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti led by Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Thursday demanded that the state government cancel the May-19 agreement and implement the ones reached in 2013 and 2015.

Bidhuri said a countrywide agitation would be launched starting if the previous agreements are not implemented. “The May 19 agreement has put an end to the state government’s commitment to provide five per cent reservation within the 50 per cent limit prescribed by the Supreme Court and its agreement to include the quota in the ninth schedule of the Constitution,” Bidhuri claimed.

He added that the government should annul the May 19 agreement immediately.

Bidhuri claimed the Rajasthan government in 2008 and 2015 had specifically said it will provide Rs 500 crore annually to the Devnarayan Trust for the development of Gujjar dominated villages, but it has not been happening. A 51-member committee of Gujjars and other communities has been constituted, which will raise awareness among the youths about the fallouts of May 19 agreement and will strategise on starting the agitation in August, he said. ­­­

—With inputs from PTI

‘Unkept promises’

Ramvir Singh Bidhuri claimed the government in 2008 and 2015 had said it will provide Rs 500 crore annually to Devnarayan Trust for development of Gujjar dominated villages, but it has not been happening.