Members of Thakor community which falls in the OBC category in Gujarat today held a rally in Visnagar town, demanding a separate 20 per cent reservation and a Rs 2,500-crore package for them.
The state witnessed a hugely disruptive agitation of the Patel community for OBC quota last year.
Around 500 persons participated in the 'silent rally' in Visnagar town in Mehsana district under the banner of 'Kshatriya Thakor Samaj Anamat Samiti' today.
In a demand memorandum submitted to Mamlatdar (revenue official), they said the community has remained backward despite the OBC quota granted to it and therefore it needs a "separate 20 per cent reservation" in government jobs and educational institutions.
"More than 95 per cent of community members are landless, have no business or government jobs. We have been included in OBC category but other communities within the category enjoy all benefits, leaving us deprived.
"Government should also declare a Rs 2,500-crore package for the uplift of the community, set up tehsil-level schools exclusively for Kshatriya-Thakor community and provide fee exemption in self-financed colleges," it said.
President of the Samiti, Ajmalji Thakor, said it would intensify the agitation if the demands were not met.
"We will hold similar rallies across the state," he said.
The rally was held despite the police denying permission. The police later lodged an FIR under section 188 of the IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
After the pro-quota violent agitation by the Patel community last year, some other communities in Gujarat too are demanding more reservation than the existing quota.
