http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=413943&sid=NAT
Gujjars threaten stir after being denied ST status Zeenews Bureau Jaipur, Dec 18: A committee set up Rajasthan government has rejected the demand by Gurjars in the state for Scheduled Tribe status for them, drawing a sharp reaction today from the community leaders who threatened to launch fresh agitation. The Rajasthan government, that had remained silent on the contents, has decided to submit the 294-page report to the Central government without any recommendation. The committee had submitted its findings to the state Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje yesterday. The committee said in its report that the Gujjar community doesn't qualify for either the Scheduled Caste or the ST category. The report further said that there was a need to review the criteria for awarding ST status to various communities. It concluded that "it remains a naked truth that the benefit of reservation has not obviously percolated to the needy among SC and ST massess as intended but at the same time it is stolen either by the elites and the developed among SC and ST masses or by others who masquerade as SC and ST. The report came in the backdrop of resignation by three state Meena leaders, who opposed any recommendation to the Centre for granting ST status to the Gujjars. The Meena community, a dominating force in the tribal category in Rajasthan, has been opposing the Gujjar demand for ST status, as they believe their benefits would get diluted. The Justice Jasraj Chopra committee was set up by the state government on June 12 following an understanding between it and the representatives of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti. Gujjars, presently belonging to the OBC category, held violent protests all over Rajasthan and neighbouring areas, including the capital Delhi, from May 29 to June 4 demanding their inclusion into the ST category that would give them better employment and educational opportunities. Normal life was paralysed and at least 26 people were killed in the violence.
