Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in Rajasthan has approved one per cent reservation to five communities including Gujjars under the most backward classes (MBC) category on Monday, July 2.
The mandate came after Gujjar leaders threatened to stage a protest during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Jaipur.
The BJP government had announced that the reservation for MBCs comprising Gujjars, along with nomadic communities Banjara, Gadia-Lohar, Raika and Gadariya – will be within the 50 percent ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had approved the decision in December 2017 and sent it for the Governor’s consent. The mandate has finaly been brought into law today.
Until now, the overall reservation in the state stood at 49 per cent. The main demand of the Gujjar community was 5% reservation within the OBC quota to not violate the 50% limit as prescribed by the Supreme Court. But since that could not be fulfilled, the Rajasthan government had assured in December 2017 to approve 1% reservation for Gujjars and four other backward castes.
