New Delhi to witness another standstill, warn Gujjars

Shahjahanpur (Rajasthan)/Etawah, June 2 : New Delhi will have to prepare itself for another violent protest as the Gujjar community has decided to bring it to a standstill again on June 5.

The community from Mahendergarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Rewari have decided on staging a major protest in New Delhi.

"Our mass meeting has taken a solid decision and the caste does what it decides. On June 5, Gujjars from across the nation will block New Delhi, and march to the President's residence. We will not withdraw until reservation is given to Gujjars," said Antram Tanwar, a community leader.

Meanwhile, Gujjars staged a protest in Etawah to lend its support to an ongoing agitation and burnt an effigy of Rajasthan's Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje.

Gujjars are demanding inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) that will ensure reservation in jobs and seats in educational institutions.

The Gujjar protest, which has spread to many places in and around Rajasthan, has disrupted road and rail traffic badly. The Rajasthan Government reserves about half of the seats in State colleges and universities for lower castes and tribal groups to flatten centuries-old social hierarchies. Some critics say the quota system masks India's failure to provide good universal education and social equality. A year ago, Gujjars in Rajasthan fought with police and members of another caste that already qualifies for job quotas. At least 26 people were killed in that violence. After these protests, a State Government committee said it would spend 2.8 billion rupees improving schools, clinics, roads and other infrastructure in Gujjar areas. But Gujjars rejected this option.

ANI