Members of the Mali community continued to block the Jaipur-Agra National Highway here for the fourth consecutive day on Monday demanding 12 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.
The protestors are also demanding the release of their leader Murari Lal Saini who was detained before the protest. The protestors, who are camping in tents, have blocked about one-kilometre stretch on the NH-21 near Arauda village by placing stones. For those commuting between Jaipur and Agra, traffic has been diverted on alternative routes to avoid congestion, officials said.
”The protest is ongoing. It is limited to the place from where it had started and the situation is under control. Talks are being held with the members of the Mali community to break the deadlock,” Bharatpur collector Alok Ranjan said. Members of the Mali community, which falls in the OBC category, are demanding a separate 12 per cent reservation, the formation of a separate Luv Kush Welfare Board and hostel facilities for the children of the community among others. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also belongs to the Mali community.
On Friday, the protesters blocked the key Jaipur-Agra National Highway in Bharatpur and pelted stones at police personnel who retaliated by firing tear gas shells to control the mob.
Following this, the police had put up barricades on the national highway in Ballabgarh, Halaina, Vair, Arauda, and Ramaspur villages.
Honouring social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule who belonged to the Mali community, the state government had recently formed the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Welfare Board and declared April 11 as a state holiday commemorating the late leader’s birth anniversary.
The Mali community held a similar protest in June last year, which was pacified after assurances.
