Rajasthan Government's Controversial Move: 5-Year Age Relaxation for OBCs in Police Recruitment Scrapped, Sparks Political Turmoil

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has abolished the reservation relaxation for OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in police recruitment. Previously, OBC candidates were given a 5-year age relaxation.

This benefit has now been terminated, sparking a political debate on social media. The issue has also led to chaos in the state assembly.

The Rajasthan government recently announced the recruitment of four lakh new positions. Over the next 4.5 years, the government plans to fill more than four lakh vacancies, keeping in mind the reservation rules. However, for one specific recruitment, the 5-year relaxation for OBC reservations has been revoked.

The upper age limit relaxation of 5 years for OBC candidates in the Rajasthan Police Service recruitment has been completely abolished. The Personnel Department has issued a notice regarding this change.

Following the notice, the Rajasthan Assembly has erupted in uproar. Previously, the OBC category was allowed a 5-year age relaxation in the recruitment rules for Rajasthan Police Service.

For instance, if the age limit for the general category was 20 years, OBC candidates could apply until they were 25 years old.

However, Joint Secretary Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Personnel Department has issued an order stating that this 5-year relaxation, effective from April 16, 2021, has been canceled.

Congress legislator Harish Chaudhary has launched a campaign against the Bhajanlal government, criticizing its royalist mindset. He stated on social media that the government’s actions would be opposed both in the assembly and on the streets.

Several OBC leaders have echoed Chaudhary's sentiments, arguing that this decision is a severe blow to the OBC community. Reactions on social media are mixed; some view the government’s decision as positive, while others believe it will have repercussions for the government.

Naresh Patel, convenor of the OBC Adhikar Manch, condemned the move and demanded the order be revoked, warning that the community would resort to protests if it is not reversed.

He stated, "The BJP's Manuist, anti-OBC government has ended the 5-year relaxation for OBCs in the Rajasthan Police recruitment! It has been proven that the BJP is against OBCs."