Row over singing of 'Gujjar song' in Bhilwara school

Bhilwara, Aug 17 (UNI) A dispute has erupted after officials stopped Gujjar students from singing the 'Gujjar reservation song,' which allegedly contains remarks about Meena community, in a school in Bhilwara district on the occasion of Independence day.

The district administration has ordered a probe into the matter.

According to official sources, Gujjar students of a middle school in Baroda village in Jahajpur constituency wanted to sing a Gujjar song on reservation at the cultural function organised in the school on Aug 15.

The song, supposed to have contained some remarks about the Meena community who are totally against reservation and ST status for Gujjars, was sung by Gujjars at the recently held Gujjar mahapanchayat in Bundi.

The school administration stopped the students from singing the song fearing a possible caste flare up.

Meanwhile, four Gujjar students Shankarlal, Kalyanmal, Prakash Chand and Harishankar have faxed a complaint to Jahajpur district Collector, urging action againt school director and one teacher.

A Gujjar delegation led by president of District Gujjar Prishad, Bhairu Lal Bhadana met the district collector and asked for a probe into the matter. Gujjars also staged a protest at the collector's office today.

District Collector Hemant Gera has given the charge of the probe to Additional Collector (Administration) Ashok Yadav.

Admitting the matter was ''grave,'' Mr Gera said acton can be taken only after the probe report comes.

UNI