NEW DELHI: Within hours of Gurjar community deciding to block the supply of essential commodities in the capital, its leaders decided to take back the threat, urging the supporters to instead use non-violent measures to register their protest.
The Gurjar community, which surrounds the capital, has decided to take on the BJP and protest outside its offices at block and state level, and is asking BJP supporters to put pressure on their senior leaders to agree to its demands.
Gurjars in Rajasthan have gone on a rampage for past five days demanding scheduled tribe (ST) status although the community already enjoys OBC status.
“We have spoken to community members and have asked them not to block the supply of milk, vegetables and other essential commodities in the capital and the national capital region,” said Ram Vir Bidhuri, the most prominent Gurjar leader in the capital.
Bidhuri further said that though Gurjars are present in Delhi and NCR in huge pockets, the community has decided not to take up violent means and disrupt normal life. “Our real fight is with the BJP and not the people,” said Bidhuri, adding, “If we trouble people and try to make their lives miserable then they would go against us and the entire community would be branded as violence friendly.”
Meanwhile, not taking any chances in the capital and NCR, the Delhi police, along with the cops in Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been busy speaking to the village elders to convince them not to block the supply of essential commodities and turn to violent protests in Delhi.
“Gurjars had blocked the Gurgaon-Faridabad road for the past two days but now they have assured that they will desist from doing so,” said Satyender Gupta, deputy commissioner Gurgaon.
Similarly, Delhi police too are speaking to village leaders in south, eastern, and northwestern parts of the capital where large populations of Gurjars are present.
“We have activated our local intelligence to learn if violent protests are being planned by them,” said a senior officer of Delhi police.
v_gyan@dnaindia.net
