No ST status for Gurjjars: panel

It’s learnt that the report has cited Chapter 20 of the National Tribal Policy — it is still to be notified — on scheduling and de-scheduling of tribes wherein it’s observed that the number of ST communities are almost 700 and that the existing criteria devised by the Lokur Committee are “hardly relevant today… other more accurate criteria need to be fixed”.

The policy also recommends descheduling of tribes that have “largely caught up with the general population”. So while these broad issues are being seen in new light by the Centre and fresh directions are on the cards, sources said, the Chopra committee felt a decision on Gurjjars must wait until then. Based on this, the matter stands referred to the Centre.

The decision of forwarding the report to the Centre was taken at a cabinet meeting called by Vasundhara Raje. Minister Rajendra Singh Rathod later told reporters that the report would be forwarded to the Centre “as it is”. Without giving details, he said as per the committee’s recommendation, a panel, headed by BJP treasurer and MP Ramdas Agrawal, has been formed.

“This committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations for socio-economic reforms for the community members before the next Assembly session and it will be discussed in the House,” said Rathod.

The state government refused to divulge details but sources confirmed that though the Chopra committee has agreed that Gurjjars from the north-eastern belt of Rajasthan and those living in most rural areas are backward, they are not eligible for being called a tribe.

A senior official confirmed that the committee in its report has stated that Gurjjars do not meet the parameters to be called a tribe. “It also points out that these parameters were set 60 years ago and need to be amended. However, as per the present parameters, Gurjjars cannot be given a ST status,” the official said.

The committee’s report is similar to that of the District Collectors which the state government had sought prior to the violent agitation by Gujjars in May this year. Apart from the collectors of two districts, all others in their report had failed to recognise Gurjjars as a backward community.

With the committee report not quite in their favour, the two groups of Gurjjars are back in action, holding meetings and announcing maha-sabhas and maha-padavs. “We will hold a maha-padav on January 21 in Jaipur and block all roads to the state capital. We are not interested in committees and their suggestions, we want reservation,” said expelled BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal.

Dausa’s Congress MP Sachin Pilot termed the report as “a complete eye wash”. “It seems like the committee has been forced to submit a report which suits the present government fine. The Vasundhara Raje government is only buying time till the next Assembly elections in December next year, by announcing one committee after another. It had promised reservation during the last election and as a constitutional right of the Gurjjars, the community should be given ST status,” he said.

Will talk to Raje, assures Rajnath

NEW DELHI: After their demand for Scheduled Tribe status in Rajasthan was rejected by a Government commission, a delegation of Gurjjars on Tuesday met BJP chief Rajnath Singh who promised to talk to party’s government in the state to resolve the matter.

After this meeting, NCP MLA Rambir Singh Bidhuri, who led the delegation, told reporters after the meeting that Gurjjars would launch a nationwide stir to press for ST status. “The agitation will not be confined to Rajasthan if our demand is not met immediately,” he warned. Singh said he would talk to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on the issue. “The Justice Chopra Committee has just submitted its report and the state Cabinet will decide on the issue. The CM is coming here on Wednesday and I will discuss the matter with her,” the BJP chief said.