The clashes between Gujjars and Meenas over the formers' demand for scheduled tribe status was a fallout of lack of opportunities and space for the backward people, Union minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Meira Kumar said in Kolkata on Sunday. "In Rajasthan everyone is seeking reservation, each community wants reservation for themselves. It is a fight for opportunities and space that is happening in the state," Kumar said at a seminar to mark her father Babu Jagjivan Ram's birth centenary.
Meenas, an ST community having substantial representation in political parties and the government, have been opposing any addition to the ST list as demanded by the Gujjars.
Left Front Chairman in West Bengal Biman Bose blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party government for allegedly going back on its promise to accord ST status to the Gujjars.
"They (the BJP) had promised four years ago that the Gujjars would be given ST status. But they have failed to do so and this has led to the present volatile situation in Rajasthan," Bose said.
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