Gujjars block rail track to press for five percent job quota

Thousands of people belonging to Gujjar community staged a sit-in on railway tracks in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district on Thursday, demanding five percent reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions.

"We want five percent reservation under SBC (special backward class category) and that should be under the permissible limit of total 50 percent reservations," Himmat Singh, spokesperson of the Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti, told IANS by phone.

"We will continue to hold demonstrations till our demand is met. May intensify it further if needed," he said. Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti is spearheading the agitation.

The sit-in protest at Pilu Ka Pura area affected the movement of trains on the Delhi-Mumbai route. According to railway officials, at least four trains were diverted.

Gujjars, demanding reservation for better educational and job prospects, had staged violent protests between 2006-2008, in which at least 67 people lost their lives.

Rajasthan's Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, meanwhile, requested the Gujjar leaders to come forward and hold talks with the government.

"Matter can be resolved by talks... the matter is before the court and state government will do its best to resolve the issue," said Kataria.