SC to hear on June 19 petition against Gujjar agitation

New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on June 19 a petition seeking direction to Rajasthan Government to ensure that people of the state are not put to hardship by the Gujjar agitators who are demanding ST status for their community. Petitioner Lakhan Singh has raised several important questions of law such as - Can the agitator be allowed to affect normal life by disrupting exam schedules, breaking vital railway tracks and blocking traffic on National Highway virtually holding the state and its citizens to ransom in the name of their democratic rights. The petitioner, appearing through his counsel Pallav Shishodia, has also contended that the role of the state government has also been dubious as it has failed to maintain the law and order situation by not being able to control violent agitation by the Gujjar community even when police stations have been attacked, railway tracks been damaged, National Highways and other public property have been destroyed openly defying the authority of the state. The petitioner has also pleaded before the court to scrutinise the judicial approach under such circumstances when law abiding citizens are being subjected to unprecedented hardship and harrassment by the agitators and whether the judiciary is not duty bound to take corrective judicial steps to protect the citizens. Counsel for the petitioner today contended before a vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and G S Singhvi that agitators are defying law of the land with impunity while the state government is turning 'Nelson's eye' towards the sufferings of the other citizens of the state and the state government has also defied the orders of the High court passed in Septemnber 2007 to maintain law and order under all circumstances. Last year the Supreme Court had described the agitation as 'national shame' and had sought an explanation from the heads of police departments of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, when thousands of people were stranded at railway stations and bus stops due to the blockade by the Gujjar community.

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