Gujjars reservation in RAS recruitment: Friction among community leaders come to fore

Jaipur: A day after Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsala met chief minister Ashok Gehlot and withdrew the community’s plans for agitation over reservation in government jobs, another community leader Himmat Singh accused Bainsala of drawing political gains from the agitation and said that the government is fooling the Gujjars. He said that there should be at least 49 seats under the ‘most backward classes’ (MBC) reservation for the community, but the government has agreed to reserve only 36 seats. Himmat Singh claimed that the community will go ahead with its protest plans.

Bainsala met Gehlot on Sunday night. He was accompanied by his son Vijay Bainsala and some other leaders including Shailendra Singh and Jitendra Singh. The main issue was the community’s reservation in the RAS recruitments. Bainsala said that only 1% seats were reserved for MBC in 2018, but it has been increased to 5%.

“We have been demanding for 5% reservation. Our demand has been met by the government. It means that 36 seats will be reserved for MBC. There is no point in going ahead with the agitation, so we are withdrawing it,” said Bainsala after meeting the chief minister.

However in a press conference organized at the Pink City Press Club on Monday, Himmat Singh alleged that the community has been betrayed by the government as well as Bainsala.

“At least 49 seats should be reserved for MBC. Bainsala is trying to gain political leverage. Our demands have not been made. We will go ahead with our plans for the agitation for reservation,” Himmat Singh said.