Gujjar community calls off 8-day long quota protest after receiving written assurance from Gehlot government

The members of Gujjar community called off their agitation on Saturday after getting a written assurance from the Rajasthan government that it will stand by them if the bill giving five percent reservation to the community faces legal hurdles.

The agitation lasted for eight days as Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla and his supporters staged a sit-in protest on the rail tracks in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district, forcing authorities to divert trains. The protesters were demanding five per cent reservation to Gujjars, Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar, Banjara and Gadaria communities in government jobs and educational institutions.

"We are thankful to the chief minister for looking into the concerns of the community. We have received a written assurance from the government that it stands by the community if the bill passed by it faces legal hurdles," Vijay Bainsla, the son of Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla told PTI.

State Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh met the representatives of the community to end the deadlock. He had met the Gujjar delegation on Friday as well but the talks remained inconclusive as they demanded a written assurance that necessary steps would be taken if their demands face legal hurdles.

Read: Gujjar Quota Dharna: Protesters Block Rail Tracks Demanding 5% Reservation, Give 20 Days Ultimatum To Gehlot Government

Over a week-long dharna led by Kirori Bainsla on railway tracks and highways had inconvenienced travellers.

As per a North Western Railway spokesperson, 64 trains were cancelled, 71 diverted and 32 partially cancelled in the last eight days. A West Central Railway spokesperson said 148 trains were cancelled, 143 diverted and 52 short terminated.

Earlier on Friday, Additional police forces was deployed in Bharatpur police range -- under which Sawai Madhopur falls -- to tackle any law-and-order situation.

"Seventeen RAC (Rajasthan Armed Constabulary) companies, including a special task force, have been deployed in the range. Senior police officers, who have experience of working in the area, have been assigned duties. The situation is completely under control," Bhupendra Sahu, inspector general of Bharatpur Range, said.

The Rajasthan Assembly on Wednesday had passed a bill giving five percent quota in government jobs and educational institutes to the Gujjars and four other agitating communities.

Read: Rajasthan Government Concedes To Gujjar Quota Demand, Tables Bill For 5% Reservation Amid Protests