Jaswant, Raje behind violence during Gujjar agitation, alleges Patel

Jaipur, Jun 9 (UNI) A senior Gujjar leader today alleged that senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje ''conspired'' to spark off violence and a caste clash during the week-long agitation over Gujjar's demand for ST status.

Devendra Singh Patel, national secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Vikas Sangathan, told at a press conference that Mr Jaswant Singh, ''who is eyeing the chief ministership of the state incited the Gurjars, while on the other hand, Mrs Raje instigated the Meena community against Gujjars to keep her chair intact.'' The Gujjar leader said the community has been agitating on its demand for the past seven years in a peaceful manner.

''How could the two communities, which have been living together cordially for decades, turn against each other suddenly without any provocation?'' he asked.

He charged that six people had already been killed at 0600 hrs on May 29, much before the 'chakka jam' was to begin at 1100 hrs.

''Gujjar do not start any auspicious work on Tuesday, so how could they have started such a big fight on a Tuesday,'' he added substantiating his charge that innocents were targeted.

Mr Singh has already written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi demanding an enquiry by a Supreme Court judge into the matter.

UNI