NDTV.com: Rajasthan govt rejects Gujjars' demand

RSS

Updated: November 21, 2009 22:34 IST

What's New: Classifieds | Auto | Jobs | Tutoring^{US only}

NDTV GURUJI NDTV Search

NDTV Active

To read the biggest stories of the day on your mobile, type mobile.ndtv.com on your phone browser.

Most Read Stories

	Mahasweta Devi mediates in Trinamool row
	Winter session:What to expect?
	Headley used Rahul to survey targets?
	Winter Session: What to expect?
	'N-deal with India to be ready soon'
	Jaipur:H1N1 cases on the rise
	Red soldiers prepare for war
	'Clean chit to pilots maybe challenged'
	PM says yes to Rahul's sugar plea
	Woman accidentally shot dead in Delhi

Most Watched Videos

My best romantic song ever: Kareena

I stand by my love: Kareena

Farah picks Akshay over SRK

Ash taken aback by Paa

Akshay, Suneil, Paresh on De Dana Dan

Rajasthan govt rejects Gujjars' demand

NDTV Correspondent

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, (New Delhi)

Rajasthan could be on the verge of major trouble with a government panel rejecting the Gujjar community's demand for scheduled tribe status.

The Chopra committee has reportedly rejected the Gujjar demand for scheduled tribe status saying they do not meet the criteria. However, the panel has recommended a special package for them.

The Rajasthan government is silent on the potentially explosive report and has apparently left the decision to the Centre. The state government decided to send the Chopra report to the Centre without any recommendations.

In fact, the report suggests that under the criteria for ST status in the constitution, prescribed 60 years ago, hardly any group will qualify today.

The state cabinet is now debating how to resolve the issue without angering the Gujjars or the Meenas, who enjoy ST status but have opposed it for Gujjars.

The Chopra panel was set up by the government six months ago when the Gujjar agitation for ST status spiralled into caste violence in Rajasthan and its neighbouring areas. At least 26 people were killed in that violence.

Gujjar leaders unhappy with today's development have called a mass gathering as a show of protest in January 2008.

Story Finder

Save & Share

User Comments [ +Comment on the story ]

Posted By ramachandran-Tuesday, December 18, 2007

It is a pity that the Chopra committee, should have rejected the Gujjar demand for scheduled tribe status. If according to the criteria prescribed 60 years ago in the Constitution, hardly any group qualifies for ST status, the Committee should have indicated whether the Meenas were qualified to have the ST Status. If not, having granted the ST status to Meenas, what is the harm in granting the similar status to Gujjars also? Always Mayawati and others say that it is only the 'Manuwadi's' who deny the right to the SC/STs. Are Meenas Manuwadi's? If not, why are they opposing the grant of ST status to Gujjars? It will be highly irresponsible if the Rajasthan government simply forwards to the Central Govt. the report without making any recommendation whatsoever. Then the fellows who cannot take any decision do not reserve to be in power, they should better quit immediately.

Posted By Raghavendra r pawar-Tuesday, December 18, 2007

This report may motives Gujjar community enter road rising slogan against government and state may again facing trouble situation. Government should take proper action to address community grievances by providing shelter and jobs. This time government should more cautious to prevent eventualities.