Rajasthan: Congress surrenders to Gujjars’ pressure tactics

Fearing severe setbacks, Rajasthan, from where the saffron party was removed by the grand old party recently, has offered nearly five per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for Gujjars and other five communities –such as Banjaras, Gadia, Lohars, Gadaria, and Raikas.

A bill in connection with this, named the “Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State)”, has been presented in the state assembly.

With the proposed reservation, the total reservation for the backward classes has raised from 21 per cent to 26 per cent.

A couple of days before, the Gujjars warned that it would withdraw its support to the ruling government if their demand for the reservation in jobs and educational institutions are not accepted.

During the recent election, the Gujjars stood strongly with the Congress. It was their support that helped the party to wrist an astounding victory in the last election against the BJP.

Experts say that the trend of grabbing the benefit of reservation with the aid of political clout would give a wrong message to the society.

It is unfortunate that the grand old party, instead of formulating a powerful counter narrative against the irrational precedents commenced by the saffron, are formally endorsing some of them by following them.

Vignesh. S. G

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