Gujjar Agitation: Case Registered Against Kirori Singh Bainsla And Others For Violating Covid-19 Protocol And Holding Mahapanchayat

Two days ago, Gujjar leaders in Rajasthan, participating in an agitation for quota, had held a mahapanchayat in Bayana, Bharatpur. They said that if their demands are not met, they will organise a statewide 'chakka jam' (a large-scale agitation) in November.

The agitation had led to the blocking of Internet services in the region by the state administration.

A case has been registered against Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla — the leader of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which is demanding education and jobs for the Gujjars as MBC (most backward class), and 32 others for holding the mahapanchayat in Bharatpur for violating the Covid-19 protocol.

A case has been registered in Bayana.

The High Court's directives issued in 2007 say that the mahapanchayat can only be held after an undertaking has been submitted to the district collector.

Under the National Disaster Management Act and Rajasthan Epidemic Ordinance, 2020, a congregation of more than 100 people cannot be held in the state during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The Gujjar leaders have said that if the government does not make provisions for it, the agitation will take a massive turn in November.

The announcement was made in a mahapanchayat held as a "shakti pradarshan" — show of strength.

Sections of the media have reported on the "sudden change" in the venue of the mahapanchayat. Earlier, it was to take place at Maksudanpura Devnarayan Temple in Malarna Dungar but was later shifted to Bayana.