First Gujjars and now Jats, there’s no end to indefinite reservation demands. The Jats in Dholpur and Bharatpur districts were allegedly fuelled by notorious Congress leader Vishvendra Singh. Led by the erstwhile king of Bharatpur, the community broke into agitation, blocking Alwar-Mathura railway line in Bharatpur’s Bahaj village in Deeg. They also blocked the Kumher-Bharatpur highway in Kankoli on Thursday night. Fearing a repeat of Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan, the state government has decided to consider their requests.
The OBC commission, comprising of Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi and Rural Development Minister Rajendra Rathore submitted the OBC report to Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje yesterday. Shortly after the report was submitted at CM Residence, the ruling BJP leaders felt that the government should favor the Jat communities of Dholpur and Bharatpur.
Besides rival leader Vishvendra Singh allegedly spearheading the Jat agitation in Rajasthan, BJP leader Digambar Singh too kept his demands before the government. Before preparing the OBC report, the department conducted a survey in each village, district, and tehsil. This survey was conducted in accordance with the Rajasthan High Court’s stay on Jat reservations in 2015.
Two years back, the court ended Jat reservation, ordering a survey that was meant to be conducted by Rajasthan government, when required. The survey aims at verifying the socio-economic status of Jats in comparison with other dominant castes. This step was observed to ensure that only the deserving members of the community get access to caste based reservations.
Since the Jats from Dholpur and Bharatpur were deprived of their share in the quota pie, they have submitted their requests with verifiable proofs stating their economic condition. Considering their requests, Dr. Chaturvedi assured Rajasthan Jats that the department will swiftly act on the report.
Chaturvedi claimed that unlike the Jats in high-end cities, the communities residing in Dholpur and Bharatpur are not privileged. Granting them quota will discourage notorious elements from whetting Jats. It’ll also bring them in mainstream development – a win-win situation for everyone!
