The two events already seem to have some bearing with K L Meena’s offer to support the Gurjjar community in their endeavour to secure five per cent reservation in the state. “We support the five per cent reservation for the Gurjjar community and resolved at the talks that we will make peace with each other,” Meena said.

Gurjjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla, who fought and lost the Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket from the Sawai Madhopur-Tonk seat, agrees to peace, but stated that he would not end his struggle immediately. “My fight is for my community and I will continue my struggle till the five per cent reservation is given to Gurjjars,” Bainsla said.

Rajasthan Congress spokesperson Satinder Raghav said that peace between the two communities was a top priority for the Congress. “Other than the two agitations, Gurjjars and Meenas have constantly been at loggerheads, which led to the deterioration of the situation in east Rajasthan. The Chief Minister has asserted that the situation must be resolved to avoid another violent stir,” Raghav said.

The Gurjjars had initially demanded Scheduled Tribe status — enjoyed by the Meenas — that would have given equal quota opportunities to them in getting state jobs. The Meenas opposed to the demand as it would have cut into their jobs, and had resisted any move to go soft by the previous BJP government in the state.

Last year, the state Government proposed a compromise between the two communities, offering five per cent quota to the Gurjjars, but without the Scheduled Tribe status.

... contd.