Resting under a tree, the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ in the quintessential red turban looks at the sea of humanity that has held the railway line in Piloopura under siege. As men armed with lathis hop from one spot to another, showing their strength in numbers, he says dramatically, “Look at my men around. No one can move us till they agree to our demands. They are all Rocks of Gibraltar for you.”

Colonel Kirori Lal Bainsla’s agitation demanding reservation for the Gurjjar community may have brought life in some parts of Rajasthan to a halt, forcing the Vasundhara Raje government to initiate peace talks, but the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, as he was nicknamed by his seniors in the Army, is losing ground.

Unlike during the agitation in Patoli last year, there are too many others running the agitation.

While Bainsla’s jeep, that carries him and his coterie of strategists who move closer to him when he talks to the media, continues to gather crowds of hundreds each time he decides to leave the cool shade of his corner, a cloud of suspicion and perception of betrayal continue to loom large.

“Colonel Bainsla is our leader, no doubt. But don’t think he is the only one this time. We all are in it and every move will be taken by the Gurjjar Samaj as we don’t want a repetition of the Patoli incident,” says Kunwar Singh, one of the coordinators of the agitation in Piloopura.

Singh and Bainsla’s close aide Attar Singh call the shots on deciding shifts and security along the tracks through the day. While Bainsla dictated every minute detail the last time, each decision is taken “collectively” this time and in the presence of village heads and seniors of the ‘Gurjjar samaj.’

Nearly 100 km from the epicentre of the Gurjjar agitation, 20 bodies are lying across the highway. Umrao Singh Doi, president of the Gurjjar Mahasabha in Dausa is in command. While he insists that there is coordination with the “high command” in Piloopura, he adds, “We will not cremate the bodies till the government sends us a green signal. She cannot continue talking with Bainsla and hope to get away this time. A decision will be taken only after the the Gurjjar samaj takes a decision.”

Who is the Gurjjar Samaj? “Our MLAs, leaders at the centre and our people,” he says.

“Bainsla is not a politician,” explains Sarvansh Singh commanding the “boys” blocking the highway. “He is a social activist and we respect (him) as one of our learned and wise men. But he cannot talk to the government in Delhi. We need somebody who can knock the doors of Delhi,” he says.

And as he stays put in Piloopura for the 14th day, surrounded by his army of over 10,000 men all day long, Bainsla says, “This is my commitment and I will see it through. “

While he inquires about the “situation” on the other side and in Sikandara, he adds, “I know that the elections are ahead and politics is seeping in. But I will hold ground till the government relents.”