Jat body to launch strike over quota from Dec 16

Members of Haryana's Jat community have upped the ante for getting the Other Backward Class (OBC) status in the state. The OBC status gives caste-based reservation in jobs. Deevakar Anand reports.

Members of Haryana's Jat community have upped the ante for getting the Other Backward Class (OBC) status in the state. The OBC status gives caste-based reservation in jobs.

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The Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (JASS) issued an ultimatum to the state government on Sunday that they would hold a massive protest if the OBC status is not accorded to them by December 15.

They said the protest would also involve cutting off New Delhi from the neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Samiti members further claimed that the supply of milk and other goods to Delhi will be disrupted during the agitation.

"If our demand is not met by December 15, we will go for an agitation. Members of the Jat community in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will also join in the struggle," said Col (retd) OP Sindhu, president of JASS, during the body's executive council meeting here on Monday.

"The 400-odd Jat khaps in Haryana will also back the agitation," said Sindhu.

"We have been assured by chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda that a commission is looking into the modalities of granting us the OBC status and a final decision will be taken by December 15. If this does not happen, we will be forced to protest from December 16," said Sindhu, adding that the agitation will commence from the CM's constituency Rohtak.

Haryana's population is 2.53 crore, of which Jats constitute nearly 27%.