Explained | Gujjar agitation for reservation: Why is the community up in arms in Rajasthan?

Indian Railways is the latest victim of the Gujjar agitation brewing in Rajasthan. At least 20 trains were cancelled in the north zone and more than 250 trains affected countrywide.

The agitation even turned violent in Dholpur on February 10 with unidentified miscreants firing 8-10 rounds in the air. Three police vehicles, including two jeeps and a bus, were set afire by agitators, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Singh told PTI.

Things were about to go out of hand when the law enforcement authorities imposed Section 144 in Dholpur and neighbouring Karauli districts.

But why are the Gujjars up in arms and what are their demands? Let’s take a closer look:

Who are the Gujjars?

The Gujjars are a pastoral community who constitute about 5 percent of Rajasthan’s population, according to the 1931 caste census. Present in around 21 districts, the community has traditionally been supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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Why are they up in arms?

Members of the Gujjar community are demanding 5 percent reservation under the Special Backwards Category (SBC).

But, weren’t they already covered in the OBC category?

The Gujjars have been covered under the OBC category since 1994. However, in 2006, they demanded that their community be given reservations under the Scheduled Tribe category. After the Chopra Commission ruled that Gujjars cannot be covered under the ST category, they settled for 5 percent reservation under a new SBC category.

But this crossed the 50 percent ceiling of reservations earmarked by the Supreme Court, and was eventually quashed by Rajasthan High Court.

Haven’t previous governments overruled this judgment?

In 2008, the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government had tabled a bill granting 5 percent reservation to Gujjars and four other communities under the SBC category.

After the Rajasthan High Court stayed the bill, the ruling BJP tabled it again in September 2015. The Rajasthan High Court struck it down again in December 2016.

An unyielding Rajasthan government again introduced a bill to raise the OBC quota from 21 percent to 26 percent, granting the additional 5 percent to Gujjars. This too was struck down by the high court on grounds of breaching the 50 percent ceiling for reservation.

What is the current status of reservation in Rajasthan?

Scheduled Caste – 16%

Scheduled Tribe – 12 %

Other Backward Classes (OBCs) – 21%

Gujjars (Under Most Backward Class) – 1%

Total – 50 %

Is this the first Gujjar agitation?

Members of the Gujjar community have been embroiled in these protests for more than a decade now and have lost than 70 people to police firing and clashes with other communities who oppose their demand for quota, Hindustan Times has reported.

Who is spearheading these protests?

An octogenarian Colonel (retd) Kirori Singh Bainsla has been leading the community since 2006 when the Gujjars staged a sit-in on railway tracks in Karauli district.