By IANS
Jaipur : The Gujjars in Rajasthan, who are pressing for their community’s inclusion in the scheduled tribe category, have now decided to launch nationwide protests if their demands are not met.
Colonel K.L. Bainsla, head of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti, said Sunday night that Gujjars across the country would court arrest if the government of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje failed to send a letter to the centre recommending grant of tribal status to the community by Oct 5.
“If we in Rajasthan fail to get the tribal status then Gujjars spread across India would join our cause and court arrest,” Bainsla said.
Gujjars, presently categorised as other backward classes (OBC), held protests all over Rajasthan from May 29 to June 4 demanding their inclusion in the scheduled tribe category that would give them better employment and educational opportunities.
The Gujjars in Rajasthan have already threatened to court arrest Tuesday, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
“We are open to talks till Oct 1 midnight after which we will go ahead with our jail bharo andolan (movement to fill jails). It will be non-violent and based on Gandhigiri”, said Roop Singh, another Gujjar leader.
Milkmen in some areas have already stopped supplying milk.
The state government meanwhile has put in place arrangements for maintaining law and order during the Gujjar protests. Ministers have been deputed in different districts to oversee the situation while police and administrative officials have been deployed in sensitive areas.
According to government estimates, over 200,000 Gujjars across Rajasthan are expected to court arrest Tuesday.
The medical and health departments have also been put on alert and assembly of more than five persons has been banned in 18 of the state’s 32 districts.