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'Peaceful' Gujjar protest enters fifth day

Last updated on: July 30, 2009 13:18 IST
The Gujjar Mahapadav (sit-in), which started on Sunday for reservation demand at Penchla modh in Rajasthan's Karuali district entered fifth day on Thursday.

Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, who spearheaded the agitation and is camping in Jaipur with 50 members since Tuesday, said that the decision to withdraw the Mahapadav will depend on the outcome of a meeting with the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot scheduled to be held later in the day.

"We are waiting for the decision and a meeting in this regard is scheduled with Gehlot today. Any decision about the Mahapadav will depend on the outcome of the meeting," Bainsla told PTI.

Talks between the Gujjar delegation-led by Bainsla and Rajasthan government on a legislation seeking reservation for the community remained inconclusive on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, also an eight-member Gujjar delegation headed by State Energy Minister Jitendra Singh met the state Governor S K Singh to solve the issue.

The reservation bill, which accords five per cent reservation to Special Backward Class, which also include Gujjars and 14 per cent reservation to Economic Backward Class was passed by the Vasundhara Raje government last year and is pending with the Governor.

Meanwhile, the Mahapadav has turned into a cultural event commonly known as "Pad-Dangal" based on folklore and dance, the SP-Karauli Gurucharan Ray told PTI.

Majority of people go back to their home in nearby villages and gather in afternoon where they enjoy folk-lore and dance, he said, adding there is no tension and everything is going on peacefully.

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