Sawai Madhopur, February 17: The eight-day long protest by the Gujjar community over reservation issue in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district was called off on Saturday after a written assurance from the state government. Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla announced that the community has called off the protest after State cabinet Minister Vishvendra Singh shared the draft of the government which includes the Gujjar community’s demand. Singh met Bainsla and the representatives of the community to end the deadlock and assured that the government will stand by them if the bill giving five per cent reservation to the community faces legal hurdles. Gujjar Reservation Protest: 5 Trains Cancelled, 15 Diverted on Delhi-Mumbai Route: Two State Exams Also Postponed. 

On Friday, Singh had also met a Gujjar delegation but the talks remained inconclusive as they demanded a written assurance that necessary steps would be taken if their demands face legal hurdles. “We are thankful to the chief minister for looking into the concerns of the community. We have received a written assurance from the government that it stands by the community if the bill passed by it faces legal hurdles,” Vijay Bainsla, the son of Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla told PTI. Rajasthan Govt Issues Circular Mandating 1% Reservation For Gujjars, Four Other Communities Under MBC Category.

The agitation lasted for eight days where Gujjars and four other communities blocked railways tracks and highways in Rajasthan to demand five per cent quota in jobs and educational institutions.  On Saturday, Bainsla appealed to all the protesters to remove all blockades across Rajasthan immediately. Calling off the protest, Bainsla said, “I ask forgiveness for the trouble caused to the people during nine days of this protest. We got five per cent reservation. If some problem arises, CM Ashok Gehlot has given assurance to intervene.”

On Wednesday, a Bill was passed in the state assembly earmarking five per cent reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions. Bainsla, however, added, “The government has not accepted some of our demands. I don’t want to discuss it today. We will discuss that later. Gujjar Community Demands 5 Pc Reservation in 11 Days.

The week-long agitation on railway tracks and highways had inconvenienced travellers. As per a North Western Railway spokesperson, 64 trains were cancelled, 71 diverted and 32 partially cancelled in the last eight days. A West Central Railway spokesperson said 148 trains were cancelled, 143 diverted and 52 short terminated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 17, 2019 08:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).