Recruitment: Gujjar stand may scuttle chances of many

JAIPUR: The threat of another agitation by Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla has the fate of over 80,000 youth in the state hanging in the air. It has cast a shadow over the prospects of lakhs of unemployed youth who could not even rejoice the announcement by the state government regarding a major recruitment drive. All because the Gujjars, along with other backward communities, have not been able to attain the special 5% reservation promised to them.
While the case is in the court, the Gujjars are all set to take to the streets again, hold the state government to ransom and get their way out -- like they did earlier.The community and its leaders are conveniently turning a blind eye to the future of the lakhs of youths who stand to benefit from the recruitment drive. In fact, the cries of injustice by non-Gujjar youths are drowned in the community's call for justice. This is evident from Col Bainsla's reaction. When contacted by TOI, he refused to discuss the issue, but said "No comments'' and disconnected the call.
Bainsla surfaced again with the agitation threat after the state government announced on Wednesday that it plans to resume the recruitment process under the old reservation policy following the high court stay on the Gujjar quota.
However, brushing aside Bainsla's threat, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday termed the demand as "illogical" and blamed BJP for pushing Bainsla. "It seems that instigated by BJP, Bainsla is making such illogical demands after the state cabinet has taken a decision to go ahead with the old reservation policy for recruitment in government services," Gehlot told journalists. Out of the 80,000 jobs, 20,000 are under process with Rajasthan Public Service Commission, he said.
Rubbishing Gehlot's claims, state BJP president Arun Chaturvedi said: "All we want to say is that don't stall the recruitment process but keep your word to Gujjars and the economically backward classes. In one year, the state government could have done a lot on the issue which they haven't. They have not raised this issue in the parliament either."
Backing the chief minister, PCC president C P Joshi said: "The intention of the state government in this issue is very clear and cannot be doubted. In a democracy, some decisions need the approval of judiciary and that process is on. In the meantime, the recruitment can go ahead. Once the court takes a stand, further decisions can be taken by the government. Why hamper the prospects of others during the intermediate time?"
In fact, there are not many takers for Bainsla. Says retired director general of police V.K Thanvi: "I am against reservation of any kind. How long can we compromise with merit. Calls like this hamper the prospects of bright candidates and every time an agitation is held, it results in loss of public property. Who will take the onus for that and people who threaten with calls like this should understand that democracy is not merely a number game. It means you care for the views of others as well. They only ask about taking, but what are they willing to give in return. It's not a one way process."
Government officials say that while most departments are facing manpower crunch, opposition to recruitment will stall the development process.
"A smooth government appointment takes nothing less than six months and most vacancies that we come out with take more than double the proposed time. Someone or the other drags the department in courts. Given such a scenario, Bainsla's call will further derail the slow process," said a senior official.
With allegations and counter allegations flying, the state is heading towards another cliffhanger, leaving the people in lurch.