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70 trains affected by Gujjar agitation for reservation in Rajasthan

by IBNS 22 May 2015, 08:56 am

Bharatpur, Rajasthan, May 22 (IBNS) A total 70 trains have been affected on the busy route connecting Delhi and Mumbai, as hundreds of protesters squatted overnight on rail tracks in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district to demand reservation for Gujjars.

Ten of the trains had to be cancelled and  others were diverted.

A railway statement listed the trains affected, among them Rajdhani Express running  between Delhi and Mumbai and also Shatabdis. It said the agitation had begun at 6 pmon Thursday, affecting train traffic.


On Thursday evening, the Gujjar Reservation Front of Rajasthan had called for a 'mahapanchayat' or big meeting in Samogar village of Bharatpur. 

They have said that they will not relent till their demand for reservation in the state is met. 

The Rajasthan government says it cannot make any promises, with the matter in court.

"We are always open to discussion but this issue is now in court," reports quoted  Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje as saying.

Gujjars have been demanding reservation since 2007. They were given 5 per cent reservation in a separate quota, but as that exceeded the 50 per cent quota mandated by the Supreme Court, the matter is now heard in the Rajasthan High Court.