By Anil Sharma
IANS
Jaipur : The disgruntled Gujjars of Rajasthan struck an accord with the state government Monday over their demand for tribal status, ushering in peace after a week's spreading violence that claimed 25 lives and cost the exchequer at least Rs.350 million (about $9 million) in lost revenue.
The Gujjar stir for downward mobility, which had spread to Delhi and other cities outside Rajasthan since exploding last Tuesday, was withdrawn after Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced the formation of a committee to examine their demands.
"We are happy that we have reached an understanding," the chief minister declared after the successful fifth round of talks with Gujjar representatives, headed by Col (retd) Kirori Lal Banisla, convenor of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (Gujjar Reservation Struggle Committee).
"I have always said that talks are the only solution for problems in a democratic society and we finally have been able to work out an amicable solution," Raje told reporters after a six-hour-long meeting with the Gujjar delegation, where the proposal for the committee was tabled.
A retired Rajasthan High Court judge is to head the three-member high-powered committee, which is to submit its recommendations within three months. The committee is to draft in a person with a thorough knowledge of tribal issues as its member-secretary.
The withdrawal of the agitation by Gujjars, who make up five percent of Rajasthan's population, also cleared the way for resumption of badly disrupted road and rail traffic.
"Every day, the government was suffering revenue losses of Rs.50 million. I hope things will improve soon," said Prem Biyani of the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI).
The accord came amid mounting tension Monday – a group of state legislators from the rival Meena community issued a last-minute threat to launch a counter-agitation if Gujjars were given tribal status.
Businesses were quick to welcome the prospects of return of peace.
With the lifting of road blockades that disrupted traffic on several North Indian highways, businessmen hope that the over-9,000 trucks currently stranded on the important arterial route will be able to move about again.
Leaders of the Gujjar community, whose stir burst onto the streets of Delhi and other towns in neighbouring states, too seemed relieved.
"We are really happy as the government has considered all our demands and we feel sorry for the troubles caused to the general public because of our agitation", Roop Singh, a Gujjar leader said.
The week-long stir for better job and educational opportunities not only paralysed Rajasthan, but also drove up the prices of vegetables and fruits to 40 percent higher as trucks and trains were unable to deliver normal supplies.
"We are really relieved that the trouble has finally ended," said Rameshwar Singh, an executive in a private firm. "We in Rajasthan had never seen such a violence."
"I think now prices will come down again," added Rashmi Yadav, a housewife. "I had prayed to god for a quick resolution."
Also relieved will be the tourism sector, with Rajasthan among the top Indian destinations for foreign and domestic tourists.
"Though hotels had seen massive cancellations – over 50 percent in the last week – we are hopeful that when peace returns, tourists will once again flock into the state," S.K. Singh, a hotelier, said.
"Foreign tourists were even cancelling their bookings for October," said Sanjay Kaushik, a travel agent.
Chief Minister Raje also assured the Gujjar delegation that the state government will sympathetically consider compensating those who have been injured in the agitation, numbering around 80.
"We already have announced Rs.500,000 relief to the family of those killed in firing," Raje said.