Gurjjar panel flooded with affidavits as deadline ends

The Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee, which has been set up to look into the demand of Gurjjars for being included in the Scheduled Tribe

The Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee, which has been set up to look into the demand of Gurjjars for being included in the Scheduled Tribe ST category, on Monday received more than 1.3 lakh affidavits and 200 CDs from across the state. A huge number of these representations were made by the Col Bainsla group, who himself was present on the occasion.

While the committee had been receiving a large number of representations for the past fortnight, Monday July 16 was the last date of submission of affidavits. Since morning, hundreds of Gurjjars led by community leaders gathered at Khalsa Khoti, the seat of the Chopra Committee, here.

The Gurjjar Arakhshan Morcha, which had launched a survey in 11 Gurjjar districts in the state, also submitted findings of the survey. The survey had been undertaken to get a fair picture of the number of Gurjjars who continue to live life like tribals and are socially and economically backward.

8220;We have given it our best shot and are now waiting for the hearing to begin, so that we can explain all that we have presented them today. We have tried to collect as much information as possible on our community,8221; said Roop Singh, a Gurjjar leader.

Apart from Gurjjars, the committee also received representations from other communities in the state, including Meenas. Committee members informed The Indian Express that most of the content of the representations received were well researched.

8220;It is too early to comment on all we have received but most of the representations that came to us till Saturday are well researched. People have quoted from reports of committees, which had been formed earlier, Government census, observations made by sociologists and gazettes. We ourselves were quite surprised by their effort,8221; said a member of the committee.

The committee has been flooded by lakhs of affidavits8212;bundled up and filled in sacks. The committee has also received representations from people whom they describe as 8220;moderate Gurjjars8221; who do not favour the demand. 8220;There are a few written representations where they claim that the situation has worsened given the fact that governments have failed to have an identical reservation policy,8221; added a member. After sorting out and studying the representations they have received, the committee will start holding public hearings, which are expected to begin from August 10. While a few would be specially invited for special hearings, others can participate in the public hearings.