Gurjars cannot be granted ST status: Bhuria

Jhabua, MP, June 1 (UNI) Former chairman of the National SC/ST Commission Dileep Singh Bhuria today said as per the shecules in the Constitution Rajasthan's Gujjars could not be granted reservation at par with STs.

''The Gujjar agitation is wrong. The Constitution's Fifth and Sixth schedules enshrine provisions for tribals' rights and the Centre cannot turn Nelson's eye on those,'' he told mediapersons here.

Mr Bhuria explained that before a caste is granted reservation at par with tribals, its financial condition, culture, way of living, backwardness etc are to be surveyed and a status report presented in Parliament besides amending the Constitution.

''The Gujjars' demand is against tribal interests and if governments bow to such demands, tribals will rise to protect their rights,'' he added.

UNI