On hunger strike over quota, Rajasthan man gets married at protest site

Jaipur: The site of an indefinite hunger strike for Special Backward Class quota turned into the marriage venue for 26-year-old Devraj Gujjar, who tied the nuptial knot here, as he chose not to leave the protest.

Gujjar is one of the 10 men who are protesting since February 16 the scrapping of quota to Special Backward Classes in Rajasthan by the high court in December in 2016.

The men were selected as lecturers by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission. But after the high court struck down the SBC quota, they, like several others, did not get appointment letters.

They are now on an "indefinite hunger strike" in Sikandara area of Dausa district.

Gujjar said his marriage was fixed eight months ago and because he did not want to delay it, he decided to marry Mamta at the protest site.

He said his family members made all arrangements for the wedding.

"Both marriage and job are important in a person's life. After Mamta agreed to it, we decided to tie the nuptial knot at the spot. I will continue my fast unto death. I cannot betray my fellows," he said.

His wife Mamta said that it is tough to decide whether to sit on an indefinite fast and "I am with my husband in his fight. I am proud of him and if our demands are not met, I will also join the protest.”

While Gujjar carried on with his protest after the wedding was over, Mamta went to her in-laws' for post-marriage rituals.