The Rajasthan government has directed its officials to move ahead with the five per cent quota recommended by the state other backward commission even as community leaders cautiously welcomed the development. Gujjar leaders met on Thursday at Karauli and decided to seek a legal opinion. They said that they will follow a wait-and-watch policy for two months.
The state Cabinet had already accepted the recommendation made by the commission, but, as per the directions of the high court, any such recommendation cannot be implemented within two months.
Gujjars from different parts of the state gathered in Karauli at the instance of community leader K.S. Bainsla and after day-long deliberations, decided to discuss the matter with their legal experts.
“It is a positive development, but we are on our way to seek a legal opinion. Since the government cannot implement it immediately, we will wait and watch,” Gujjar leader Roop Singh said.
The Gujjars are apprehensive about legal scrutiny of the promised reservation as it happened in the past when the court ordered a stay on it.
The Opposition BJP also questioned the state government’s move, with Leader of the Opposition Vasundhara Raje asking if the Congress government followed the formula coined by her government, then why did it take so much time over it. State BJP president Arun Chaturvedi echoed the view and said it will serve no one.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has appealed community leaders to respect the government’s decision.