Train halted in Rajasthan over Gurjar quota demands, track cleared after assurances

India Today

08-06-2025

Rail traffic on the Kota division of the West Central Railway resumed on Sunday evening after Gurjar protesters vacated the railway tracks near Bayana town in Rajasthan's Bharatpur, following a brief disruption during which a passenger train was stalled for over three hours.The agitation happened after a Mahapanchayat was held earlier in the day at the Karwari Shaheed Memorial in the Pilupura area. Convened by the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, the meeting was aimed at pressing the community's long-standing demands related to reservation and other welfare issues. The state government's draft response to these demands was read out by Samiti president Vijay Bainsla during the event.advertisementWhile the Mahapanchayat concluded without incident, discontent brewed amongst a section of attendees dissatisfied with the government's reply. Soon after, some community members gathered on the tracks and stopped the 54794 Mathura–Sawai Madhopur passenger train at Fateh Singhpura station, disrupting rail operations between Fateh Singhpura and Dungeria stations in the Kota division.
According to the West Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, the train was held up for over three hours. Approximately 10 to 12 trains were affected due to the blockade. Authorities, including Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police, and senior railway officials, engaged in negotiations with the demonstrators.Sourabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Kota (WCR), confirmed that the track was cleared by around 7 pm following successful discussions. "There has been no report of injury or loss of life, and the railway is fully committed to ensuring passenger safety," he said.advertisementResponding to the protest, Vijay Bainsla - son of the late Kirori Singh Bainsla, who had spearheaded several Gurjar reservation movements since 2006 - downplayed the disruption. "Some people might have come on the tracks. I don't want to comment much on it," he told PTI.However, Bainsla expressed satisfaction with the government's handling of the core issues raised by the community. "To get the 5 per cent reservation for Most Backward Classes (MBC) included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, a proposal will be recommended by the state cabinet to the Centre. The entire community wanted this. It is a legislative issue, and we are all happy," he said.The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution includes laws that are protected from judicial review, shielding them from legal challenges.Bainsla also noted that another key demand - appointing a nodal officer in each district to review and resolve police cases filed against community members during past Gurjar agitations - had received a positive response from the state. "The government has agreed to it," he claimed.Earlier in the day, the Samiti had issued an ultimatum to the BJP-led Rajasthan government to respond to their demands by Sunday afternoon. In anticipation of unrest, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham had urged Gurjar leaders to avoid confrontation.advertisement"In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views. But when the government is open to dialogue, what is the need for a Mahapanchayat or protest?" Bedham asked. He also made a personal appeal to Vijay Bainsla, highlighting his longstanding association with the BJP and participation in party events.The Mahapanchayat led to heavy traffic diversions in the region. Movement between Bayana (Bharatpur) and Hindaun City (Karauli) was rerouted via Karauli and Mahwa through Kalsada, bypassing the Pilupura area. Vehicles from Karauli to Bharatpur were diverted via Hindaun–Kalsada–Bhusawar instead of the Bayana–Hindaun state highway. Additional police forces were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.The day's events were reminiscent of earlier Gurjar agitations, particularly those led by Kirori Singh Bainsla, which had in the past brought major railway routes to a standstill. While Sunday's protest was smaller in scale, it underscored the community's continued demand for affirmative action and legislative assurance.With the tracks now cleared and talks seemingly moving forward, the state government is expected to formally process its commitments, including sending the reservation proposal to the Centre and addressing pending legal cases tied to earlier protests.
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