Gujjars in Rajasthan not happy with 1% quota announcement

Jaipur, Dec 22 : Gujjars are apparently not happy with the Rajasthan government's decision to provide them, along with four other communities, one per cent reservation within the 50 per cent quota limit, and a section of the community on Friday called for protests against the government move.

Unhappy with the decision, Gujjar leader Mandeep Rendayal gave a call for organising a rally in Karauli in Rajasthan and sought maximum support for the same. He said this proposal had come as a lollypop and "we will not accept it".

"We want five per cent reservation which we have been demanding," he added.

Around 600-700 members of the Gujjar community took out a "Yuva Gujjar Maha Akrosh Rally" in Karauli on Friday. They expressed their disappointment over the announcement of one per cent reservation against their demand for five per cent.

In view of the simmering discontent, the police had made extra arrangements to check any untoward incident.

"We formed separate teams and deputed in different parts of the town. The rally concluded peacefully," said Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar.

Gujjars have been demanding a reservation of 5 per cent for their community, but the state government on Thursday announced one per cent reservation, which is to be shared with four other communities.

According to informed sources, this announcement was made in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha by-polls in Ajmer and Alwar, as both constituencies are Gujjar-dominated.

The state government had tried to provide five per cent reservation for Gujjars earlier, but the high court rejected the proposal.

Raika, Raibari, Gadariya and Luhar are the other communities, who have been considered for the benefit of reservation under the one per cent reservation slot.