On a controversy raised by the Congress MLAs, Jat Mahasabha, and OBC panel over reservations, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, on Wednesday, said that an unnecessary confusion was being created through media by some persons.

On the issue of the inclusion of ex-servicemen within the 12 percent quota under the reserved categories, Gehlot assured that there won’t be any injustice to the ex-servicemen nor to the OBC categories demanding shifting of the ex-servicemen.

“The demand of the OBC youth is reasonable, a technical mistake during the previous BJP government. However, injustice won’t be done to either the OBC youth or the ex-servicemen,” the chief minister told the media at PCC office after holding a preparedness meeting on RaGa’s Bharat Jodo Yatra entering into the state on December 3rd.

He further said, “We have surveyed quotas of ex-servicemen in 16 states in the country. The same formula would apply here. A cabinet meeting is rescheduled for tomorrow. Nothing to worry, justice will be done with every caste and ex-servicemen.”

Gehlot made an appeal to all the parties not to make it an issue of caste. This is not an issue of Jat and Rajput caste people as, he said it was a serious and sensitive matter.

“There is a little bit of estrangement of every caste, but do not create such situations which will increase tension or unrest. Rajasthan has an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood, maintain it,” Gehlot urged.

On threat of Gurjar Arakshan Samiti’s President Vijay Bainsla (son of late Kirori Singh Bainsla) to stop the RaGa Yatra in Gurjar dominated districts if the quota issue was not resolved, Gehlot assured, “Under the Congress government everyone has a freedom and right to raise his voice or demand. Congress is not that RSS that does not permit raising of voice. The government will hear all concerned demands of those raising the issue or dispute”.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ex-servicemen with a 12.5 percent reservation were included within the OBC, SC, ST, MBC and EWS quota by the previous BJP government in 2018 in Rajasthan. Ahead of next year’s assembly polls, every caste organisation has demanded exclusion of ex-servicemen from the reserved categories and shift to general category.

The circular-2018 states that a minimum of 12.5 percent reservation is to be granted to ex-servicemen in government jobs within the quota scheme. It means that 12.5 percent reserved seats for eligible ex-servicemen within OBC, SC, ST, MBC and now EWS quota. The total quota is 64 percent and the unreserved category is 36 percent.