Himachal Rajput Mahasabha demands action on general category issues, meets CM Sukhu

MANDI: The Rajput Mahasabha of Himachal Pradesh, led by its state president KS Jaswal, has raised serious concerns about the continuous neglect of the general category community, especially youth and women.

Addressing a press conference in Mandi, Jaswal accused both state and central governments of ignoring the majority general category population while appeasing certain caste-based groups.

Jaswal warned that if the government fails to act on long-pending issues, a statewide movement will be launched. His statement came after a delegation met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla and submitted a detailed memorandum of demands.

Key Demands Raised by Rajput Mahasabha:

Reconstitution of the General Category Commission, which was shelved by the previous government.
End to caste-based reservations, and implementation of economic-based criteria.
Removal of the creamy layer in reserved categories.
Review and amendment of the SC/ST Atrocities Act and restrictions on excessive funding under the Act.
Cancellation of inter-caste marriage incentive of ₹2.5 lakh.
Equal benefits for general category students in school fees, scholarships, exams, and age relaxations.
Restoration of the 7% BPL quota for the general category, merged into the 10% EWS quota.
Apply Bonafide Himachali condition for general category jobs, as done for SC/STs.
Immediate formation of the Rajput and Brahmin Welfare Boards.
Provide ₹600 uniform grant to general category students from Class 1 to 8, at par with SC/ST students.

Chief Minister responds positively

During the meeting at Oak Over, CM Sukhu assured the delegation that the government treats all communities equally. He promised to take action on the General Category Commission after reviewing the matter with the concerned department.

He assured of providing up to ₹20 lakh in education loans at 1% interest, regardless of caste, ensuring equal housing aid to poor families under Indira Awaas Yojana, considering the withdrawal of the inter-caste marriage scheme and review SC/ST fund allocations based on the Mahasabha’s concerns and initiating the formation of Rajput and Brahmin Welfare Boards immediately.

Call for unity and public awareness

Jaswal appealed to all general category and Rajput organisations to unite and raise their voices. He urged voters to question political leaders on their stand regarding general category issues and to support only those who address them sincerely.

“This is about justice and equality. If our issues continue to be ignored, we will be forced to protest,” said Jaswal.

Delegation members included Dr Amar Singh Guleria, Hem Singh Thakur, DK Chandel, Narottam Rawat, Raja Thakur, Rajendra Thakur, Heera Pal Singh Thakur, Shyam Lal Thakur, Kuldeep Singh Manhas, Santosh Chandel, Adalat Singh Thakur, Harshveer Sen, Rajendra Sen and Prem Lal Verma.

Munish Sood