The agitating Gujjar community members refused to withdraw their protest and continued to block the Mumbai-Delhi rail track on Tuesday. The rail authorities diverted 30 trains while the movement of seven trains was cancelled. The protesters also disrupted road traffic in Karauli district. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the Gujjar leaders to maintain peace and harmony.
The Gujjars occupied the rain tracks near Bayana under Bharatpur district and have been staging a sit-in on the tracks. The police force has been asked to keep a distance from the agitators to avoid any confrontation. Gujjar leader Col. K.S. Bainsla has justified the revival of the agitation and said his community members have been leading a sub-human live.
“Why have Gujjars, Rebari, Gadia Lohars been kept out of the reservation frame?” he asks.
Former Bharatpur MP and scion of Bharatpur’s ex-royal family, Vishvendra Singh, visited the site of the agitation and called on Mr Bainsla. “I requested Mr Bainsla to join talks with the government to resolve the issue. I spoke to chief minister Gehlot on the phone and also connected Mr Bainsla to the CM,” Mr Singh said.
BJP MLA Hem Singh Bhadana also visited the venue of the agitation to pledge his party’s support. The Gujjar leaders associated with the BJP were already mobilising support for the protest. The protesters also blocked roads at several places in Karauli district. Rajasthan energy minister Jitendra Singh said the CM was himself monitoring the situation.