Gujjar man ties knot while on hunger strike at protest venue

In an unusual incident, a 26-year-old man from the Gujjar community on Friday married a 24-year-old woman on the protest venue where he has been on a hunger strike.

Devraj Gujjar from Dausa has been sitting on a fast unto death from February 16 with fellow activists, protesting the high court’s scrapping of the Special Backward Class reservation.

Not wanting to miss his wedding date fixed eight months ago, while also not willing to give up his fast, Devraj asked his bride Mamta Gujjar’s family to conduct the wedding at the protest spot in Sikandara Chauhraha area of Dausa district.

Apart from relatives, thousands from the Gujjar community blessed the couple during the ceremony. The simple ceremony had no feast in respect of those participating in the fast.

Devraj and other Gujjar youths have been on strike since their job prospects were jeopardised by the high court’s striking down of the SBC Act last year.

They were selected for several vacancies but did not get placed following the high court decision.

“I am on an indefinite hunger strike with others,” Devraj, selected as a lecturer before the verdict, told DH. “Nothing can stop me from fulfilling my duty to the Gujjar community.”

He said his wife supported him on the strike action, which is why they decided to solemnise their wedding at the protest venue.  “I agree with my husband,” Mamta, a masters in political science, said.