The Gujarat Government has said those who have settled in the state after 1978 will not get the benefit of 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category.
The move is apparently aimed at giving preference to Gujaratis in education and jobs and protecting their interests.
However, the Opposition Congress and people from other states, who have made Gujarat their home, have opposed the State Government over the move.
The Gujarat Government became the first State in the country to implement 10 per cent reservation in State Government jobs and education for the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category.
To qualify for the newly-introduced 10 per cent reservation in general category, the State Government on Wednesday announced that the family of the quota beneficiary should have been residing in the state since 1978.
Since the new rule would impact thousands of youths from other states settled in Gujarat, particularly from Hindi-speaking states, their apex organisation decided to make a representation to authorities.
Maheshsingh Kushwah, president of Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad, said it is an "injustice" to exclude those who have been living in Gujarat since four decades.
"Forty one years is a very long period. Many who came before 1978 might have already died. This is injustice to us. What about those who came here and settled permanently 20, 30 or even 40 years back?
Why they have they not been included? This criterion should be 10 years," said Kushwah.
"We will discuss this issue among ourselves and make a representation to the state Government seeking relaxation in this new rule," he added.