By IANS
Jaipur : The high-powered Justice Jasraj Chopra committee, which is looking into the Gujjar community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has been visiting Rajasthan villages with a large concentration of Gujjars, while a majority of the community leaders are in jail.
A four-member delegation of the committee visited three villages in Dausa and two villages in Sawai Madhopur district, villagers said. Officials, however, did not want to comment on the issue.
The high-powered committee is expected to visit around 300 villages in the state.
“The committee was invited to tour 400 villages by Gujjars in their representations. It is planning to cover around 300 and if need be it may even think of undertaking an aerial survey of some areas,” informed sources said.
Last month, the committee had visited five villages in Ajmer district to gather details about the lifestyle and educational status of the Gujjar community.
The committee had visited Solkala, Kala Talab, Khatana Kja Khera and Surajpura — as suggested by the Gujjars during a hearing before the committee in August.
Over 62,000 Gujjars across Rajasthan had courted arrest Oct 2, demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the community — which they feel would provide them better educational and job opportunities.
Gujjars, presently belonging to the other backward classes (OBC), held protests across the state from May 29 to June 4. Normal life was paralysed and at least 26 people were killed in the violence.