Gujjars pledge to launch awareness campaign

Sawai Madhopur, June 18 (UNI) Thousands of Gujjars assembled in Sawai Madhopur district today to press their demand for ST status and pledged to launch an awareness campaign about reservation, for the community.

Senior leaders including suspended BJP MLAs Atar Singh Bhadana and Prahlad Gunjal attended and addressed the meet in Dumoda village under Rawajana Dungar police station.

Mr Bhadana told UNI that Gujjars have now decided to demand reservation in a planned, organised and democratic manner rather than the recent, ''disorganised and violent agitation''.

He said Gujjar community has decided to honour the agreement signed by Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla with the government and will wait for another three months and three days before deciding on further action.

For now the emphasis would be on creating public awareness about the condition of the Gujjar community and the need to improve their status through reservation, which would be done in a peaceful manner, he said.

The Gujjars also demanded the withdrawal of cases lodged against members of the community.

Mr Bhadana said the June 24 Gujjar Mahapanchayat would be crucial where the leaders are expected to take major decisions regarding the continuation of the stir.

UNI