India's Gujjars protest to change caste status - 29 May 08

Thousands of India's Gujjar community have burnt cars and blocked roads in protest against their status in India's caste system.

Gujjar's come from one of the country's lower castes, and want a change in their official status to gain better access to government quotas for jobs and university places.

Their campaign in the north and west of the country has led to clashes with police, killing almost 40 people.

Matt McClure reports.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• india
• gujjar
• caste
• matt
• mcclure
• aljazeera

[wing2912]

This happens only in India.

[TheGauravdedha7777]

we proud 2 b .. a gujjars ...

[nashwin80]

Happens only in India. Instead of protesting against the caste system folks are protesting to downgrade their caste status for reservations. Nice work politicians. Keep it up.

[sonofthedestroyer]

@TheAshawinify,

Shows you dont pay attention to this video, The reporters clearly says that these people want to be classified as 'low caste' so they can get that quota system. So they want to be classified as untouchables. So your comment makes no sense.

[TheAshawinify]

fuck these bastard indian bitches, since when did rajasthanis become gujjar. these low life beggars in no way are they gujar, they should be treated as untouchables . true gujjars are only real punjabi Musalman true to their land.

[myhomelandSA]

caste was created by the british who wrote the mahabrata manipulating brahamins and now they claim god made all this up if god did then i certainly wouldnt want to pray to god as he is rather cruel for making up caste. Its humans who create this bullshit.

[KASHMIRI7864LYFE]

kill them all dirty hindus muslim gujjars are the real gujars

[thegoreroad]

MOTHERFUCK GUJARS!!!!!!!! these fucing pussies are using the name SINGH! their not even SINGHS!!!! fucing FAGGETS!!!!!

[parthsna]

Example, the Gujjars you see above are known to be decendants of the 'white hun'/ Hephthalites immigrants in ancient times some linked to Georgia and Chechens. The Sanskrit translation of their tribe was 'Gurjara' which is why they maintain the separate identity they have today. In the past, there have been numerous Gujjar rulers and priests. You find Muslim Gujjars as well. It has nothing to do with religion. India has 1000s of such tribes/ethnic groups/castes etc.

[parthsna]

Me personally? Yes. But it is not upheld by 'religion' since there is no 'religion' such as Hinduism. Dharmashastras, that somewhat define the discriminatory practices are NOT holy texts and come in so many forms and interpretations. Most Hindu traditions only accredit the Vedas, Mahabharata and Ramayana, and these texts forbid such discrimination. This is why, caste discrimination is a deep rooted CULTURAL problem. And this discrimination is seen even among Christians and Muslims of South Asia.