Click to play videoJaipur: Gurjar leaders are raising the pitch as their protests seeking Scheduled Tribe status in Rajasthan enter a decisive phase on Tuesday.
They claim more than five lakh people will hit the streets to protest the three-month extension given to the Jasraj Chopra Committee, which is studying if Gurjars should be placed under scheduled tribes.
“Every person from the Gurjar community will be in the jail and will stay there till either the letter of recommendation or the government itself does not go,” says Gurjar leader Prahlad Gunjal,
The protests that took place three months ago had claimed 26 lives and had spread beyond Rajasthan.
This time the state government is taking no chances. It has set up over 20 makeshift jails to accommodate the agitators.
Security has been tightened across 21 districts likely to be affected. Prohibitory orders are in place in 18 districts.
“We have deployed the police along all the major routes, also where they will give arrests we have also sought police force from the Centre and deployed it. Our efforts are aimed at ensuring that it passes off peacefully,” says Rajasthan Home Minister, Gulab Chand Kataria.
However, Gurjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla has assured their protest would be non-violent, honouring Mahatma Gandhi.
“It's Gandhi ji birthday. We are always open to negotiations. I want all decisions to be taken by mutual understanding,” he says.
On the verge of facing one of its biggest acid tests, the Vasundhara Raje government is once again in a tight spot.
Just three months back the government was caught completely off guard by the agitation and having tasted the might of the community, this time the government says it's taking no chances.
But what it finds itself ill at ease doing is assuring the man on the streets that his life will not be affected by the agitation.
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