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Bayana: Kirori Singh Bainsla, the former Indian Army colonel leading the protests in Rajasthan by the Gujjars demanding affirmative action, has decided to float his own political party since he feels both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have cheated his largely shepherd community.
"We have been always cheated by all the political parties over the issue of reservation. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has cheated Gujjars at least three times. Like her, the Congress has also made false promises," Bainsla, the head of Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (pro-reservation movement), said.
Neglected
"Floating a political party in the midst of the agitation would be immature. But it is in the back of my mind and we will definitely have our own party once we get the tribal status," he added. Bainsla, 70, who served in the Rajputana Rifles, feels the democratic system in India does not work to everyone's benefit.
"Since ages, our community has been neglected for the sake of the others by all the political parties for their own vested reasons. Do we call it democracy? Should we not be put on equal footing with others?" Bainsla asked.
For the past six days, Bainsla and thousands of Gujjars have been squatting on railway tracks near the Dumaria railway station in Pipalpura village. The area is just a one-and-a-half hour drive from the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, a major tourist draw.
Yesterday morning, leaders of the agitation were seen discussing their strategy. The agitation has already claimed 37 lives, mostly in police firing.
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