Though the Rajasthan government described the first round of talks between Gujjar leader K.S. Bainsla and state energy minister Jitendra Singh as positive, it was unable to mollify leaders of the Gujjar community. The Gujjars refused to withdraw their agitation and protesters blocked more rail and road routes.
The energy minister on Sunday arrived at the Mumbai-Delhi railway tracks at Pilupura, in Bharatpur district, where the Gujjars have been occupying the tracks for the last six days. Mr Singh discussed the issue with Mr Bainsla and addressed the gathering. He assured the Gujjars the state was committed to providing the community five per cent reservation.
“We already providing one per cent under the special quota, but the government needs some more time to make legal provisions for the remaining four per cent quota for the community,” said Mr Singh, who is also from the same community.
Mr Bainsla said his community would withdraw from the railway tracks only after getting five per cent reservation even though the state government described the talks as positive. “I want a permanent solution to this because I do not want to leave things half-way,” Mr Bainsla said, threatening to intensify the stir if their demands were not met within seven days.
The energy minister returned to Jaipur from Pilupura on Sunday evening and briefed chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
The Gujjars continue to block roads and railway tracks at several places in Rajasthan. According to railway sources, 80 trains had to be diverted on Sunday.