Brahmin quota stir gains momentum in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Aug 20 (UNI) Inspired by the Gujjar stir and taking a cue from them, Brahmins in Rajasthan are now all set to fight for their piece in the quota pie, further denting the fragile caste equations in the state.

Brahmins have called for a seven-day agitation in all districts of the state to press for reservations in government jobs on economic basis.

On Sunday, a Brahmin rally was lathicharged by police after they insisted on meeting the Chief Minister to hand over a memorandum.

Brahmins want the government to clarify its stand on granting reservation to them on economic basis and should open a dialogue with the community to sort out the issue, Suresh Mishra, president of Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha told UNI.

Mr Mishra said Brahmins, which form 12 and a half per cent of the total population, has only 23 IAS officers out of the total 272 in the state, while there are only 17 Brahmin MLAs and two MPs from Rajasthan.

Admitting that there is 100 per cent literacy among Brahmins, he however, said according to a survey at least 90 per cent are weak economically.

He said Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had assured the Brahmin community of looking into their demands during election campaigns in 2003.

Promising to remain apolitical unit, Mr Mishra said politicians only promise and don't deliver and as such they would use all constitutional means to put forth their demands without involving any politicians in their fight.

More UNI