'We need reservation & security not money'

As sporadic incidents of violence continued to rock the national capital region of Delhi, Gujjar leader Avtar Singh Bhadana on Monday said the agitation of the community will continue until their demand for ST status in Rajasthan is accepted.

Claiming that Gujjars were the 'most underprivileged' community in Rajasthan, the Congress parliamentarian from Faridabad said, "Meenas and Gujjars have similar lifestyle and background… if Meena can get ST status, why not Gujjars?"

He alleged that Rajasthan government was responsible for the violence and said, "The agitation will continue if it does not accept our demand for ST status in the state."

He repeated his demand for a CBI probe into the police firing and caste clashes in Rajasthan, which has claimed the lives of 26 people, and for imposition of President's rule in the state.

"The situation in the state has worsened and we appeal to the government to take all measures to restore peace in the state. But we do not think the Rajasthan government can do that. So we are demanding President's rule," Bhadana told media persons.

He accused Chief Minister Vashundra Raje of aggravating the situation and her ministers from the Meena community of instigating their people to clash with the Gujjars.

Refusing the compensation announced by the Raje government for the victims of the violence, he said, "We need reservation and security not money."