Jogis want their fields back

It has been raining in Pilupura for the last two days and the Jogis of Jogi Ka Kalan village have been itching to pick their ploughs...

It has been raining in Pilupura for the last two days and the Jogis of Jogi Ka Kalan village have been itching to pick their ploughs, harness the bulls and set out to start tilling their land. But for now, they can only wait and hope the Gurjjars, who have been camping on their land, wind up their agitation so that they can sow their bajra.

8220;Gurjjaro ne kaha hai ki yahan arkashan ka beej pehle boyega, phir bajra Gurjjars have said that the seeds of reservations will be sowed here first and then bajra,8221; said 60-year-old Joti, pointing to the manure and seeds piled on his verandah. He and his seven brothers own around 20 bhigas in the area.

Jogi Ka Kalan village is a few meters away from ground zero of the Gurjjar agitation. The village has predominantly Jogi families, though some decades ago, a few Gurjjar families settled here.

8220;After Diwali, we sow wheat but bajra supplements our income. We don8217;t know when the Gurjjars will leave our fields. We don8217;t dare ask them either,8221; said Puran, another landowner in the village.

The Gurjjar diktat for its community members is clear too. No one will start working on their fields till the state government sends the recommendation letter for ST status to the Centre. Anyone who tries to work will have to pay a penalty of Rs 1,100.

For the last 18 days, Jogi Ka Kalan has no electricity. The government cut supply to all 84 villages in the area to punish the agitating Gurjjars. Electricity was restored only after Monday8217;s first round of talks between Gurjjars and the government ended peacefully in Bayana.

Jogis, like the Gurjjars, are OBCs and share the grouse the Gurjjars hold towards the Meenas who enjoy ST status. Though Meenas have kept out of this year8217;s agitation, the Jogis are quick to point out how the Meenas have been benefited from reservation. 8220;No one in the village goes to college. But what is the point? Even if our children score 90 per cent they do not have a future. There are no jobs for us,8221; Joti said.

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8220;Our lives have been paralysed for the last 18 days. But the Gurjjars have every right to protest,8221; said Ramji Lal, another villager.