Split between Gurjjar leaders wide open

It’s a war of words and clash of egos between senior Gurjjar leaders in Rajasthan. With the pro- and anti-Bainsla groups...

It’s a war of words and clash of egos between senior Gurjjar leaders in Rajasthan. With the pro- and anti-Bainsla groups levelling allegations against each other, and the group opposed to him announcing the formation of a new committee, things are only getting murkier.

Unhappy over the “compromise” sought by Col Kirori Singh Bainsla, convenor of the Gurjjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, with the Vasundhara Raje Government, the anti-Bainsla committee has announced the formation of the Sanyukt Gurjjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti. The new samiti has been formed under the leadership of Prahlad Gunjal, the expelled BJP MLA.

Now all set to prove its strength, the samiti has announced a mega siege on December 17 in the state capital. Prior to this, they plan to have several meetings at district levels, including one in Bhilwada on November 14 and another in Karauli on November 25.

Story continues below this ad

“It’s not a matter of ego but only differences in ideologies. We all are here to fight and ensure that we get the reservations and are included in the Scheduled Tribe category. However, as our ways differed, we had to part ways with Col Bainsla,” stated a senior officebearer of the new committee.

A spokesperson of the new committee, Gopi Chand Gurjjar, stated that they would take the fight for ST status further under the new leadership.

“The fight is about reservations and we plan to get the reservations at any cost. After the futile jail-bharo andolan, we plan to have a ‘maha padav’ on December 17 and will think of the future course of action soon,” he stated.

The chasm between the two groups has been quite prominent for some time now. While Gunjal and his supporters have preferred to take an anti-government stand and refused any cooperation, Bainsla has always been keen on reaching a compromise. Things turned sour when Bainsla —- without discussing the matter with Prahlad and group —- held a meeting with state government officials last month and called off the Jail Bharo Andolan.

Story continues below this ad

However, it is only now that the split is wide open, with the anti-Bainsla group going ahead and announcing its own committee and withdrawing support to the Gurjjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti.

On the other hand, Bainsla supporters are all set to prove that he is the undisputed leader of the Gurjjars. Addressing a press conference on Friday, the Convener of the Akhil Bharatiya Gurjjar Samiti, Ramveer Singh Bhududi, stated that Bainsla is the only leader the community trusts. “He is the leader for all Gurjjars across the state and anybody who questions or doubts him will not be supported by the all-India committee,” he announced in Bainsla’s presence.