By IANS
Jaipur : An organisation representing several tribal communities in Rajasthan has protested the Gujjar community's demand to be included in the Scheduled Tribe category as "unjustified".
The Janjati Arakshan Bachao Sangarsh Samiti, whose members are in the Scheduled Tribe list, has approached a high-powered committee looking into the Gujjar demands and requested to be provided the affidavits submitted by them.
Sources told IANS that the committee is deliberating whether or not to give the copy of affidavits to the Samiti. The Meena community, which is against the Gujjars getting tribal status, had sought details from the committee on their report on the Gujjars two days ago.
Gujjars are presently classified in Rajasthan as Other Backward Classes.
"It would not be proper if a decision is taken without hearing our views on the matter," the Samiti said, terming the Gujjar demand as "unjustified".
The Samiti has told the committee that since it represents all the communities presently classified as tribal, it should be given time for hearing.
Tribes included in the scheduled category are given reservations in jobs and education.
On July 16, a delegation of the Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti (GASS), the body spearheading the agitation demanding tribal status for Gujjars, had presented its demands before a high-powered committee headed by Justice Jasraj Chopra. It submitted a report, including over 135,000 affidavits and 20,000 pictures from all over Rajasthan, in support of its demand for tribal status. It also presented 200 CDs.
The committee is slated to submit its report in three months.
Gujjars had held protests all over Rajasthan from May 29 to June 4 demanding their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category. At least 26 people were killed in the violence.