Reservation issue : J&K Muslims Gujjars seek help of Raj govt

Jammu, Oct 1 (UNI ) The Muslim Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today urged the Rajasthan government to recommend their Hindu counterparts' case of granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Centre.

In a memorandum faxed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the Kashmir-based Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation appealed to her to help out the Gujjars in current reservation crisis and grant them their legitimate rights in her state.

Gujjars, which hold about five lakh of total population in Rajasthan, have called for a state-wide 'Jail Bharo Andolan' on Gandhi Jayanti tomorrow to protest against the Raje government's negligence in sending a letter recommending ST status for the community.

The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are of the same race with similar historical background sharing equal socio-economic problems, said National Secretary of the Foundation Dr Javaid Rahi.

''The struggle of Gujjars in Rajasthan have entered into a decisive phase and it is being hoped that good sense will prevail upon the Rajasthan government and Gujjars will get their due,'' he said.

Between 29 May and 4 June this year, the Gujjars' agitation for ST status had left over two dozen people dead, besides paralysing life across Rajasthan.

UNI