Jats from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi on Sunday resolved to resume their agitation for quota across several states in the country. A call for ‘Nyay Rally’ has been given by All India Jat Aarkshan Sangharsh Samiti’s (AIJASS) national president Yashpal Malik from June 5 to press for their demand of reservation and withdrawal of cases against Jat youths booked during the community’s quota stir in February.
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Paramilitary forces were rushed to seven districts in Haryana after several reports of Jats launching a protest from Sunday (May 29). The forces are regularly conducting flag marches in the cities, which in turn is making people anxious. The security has been beefed up at places which bore the brunt of arson in February.
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday put a stay on the quota bill passed by the BJP government in Haryana to give reservation to Jats and five other communities. Protesting the move, members of the community on Sunday staged a dharna outside the house of home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi and Malik later held a meeting with the Union minister.
“We held a meeting with Rajnath Singh today who assured us of justice. He also spoke to chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar who has promised a meeting with us to resolve all the issues. But, our protests from June 5 will continue across several states in the country,” Malik told Hindustan Times. A sedition case against Malik and five other Jat leaders was registered in Jind on Friday. However, Malik said, “It doesn’t matter if I’m one of the 21,000 people the government has falsely booked. Our protest will continue without fail.” The government had passed a bill for Jat quota after several districts of the state witnessed large scale violence and arson in February in which 30 people were killed and property worth hundreds of crores was damaged.
{{/usCountry}}“We held a meeting with Rajnath Singh today who assured us of justice. He also spoke to chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar who has promised a meeting with us to resolve all the issues. But, our protests from June 5 will continue across several states in the country,” Malik told Hindustan Times. A sedition case against Malik and five other Jat leaders was registered in Jind on Friday. However, Malik said, “It doesn’t matter if I’m one of the 21,000 people the government has falsely booked. Our protest will continue without fail.” The government had passed a bill for Jat quota after several districts of the state witnessed large scale violence and arson in February in which 30 people were killed and property worth hundreds of crores was damaged.
{{/usCountry}}Other Jat groups non-committed
Other Jat groups have not made a commitment on joining Malik in the protests from June 5. However, they criticised the police for booking him (Malik) and several others under sedition. Several khap meetings were held on Sunday across Haryana where a call to wait for the government’s stand on HC’s stay was taken before taking any action. Another Jat group led by Hawa Singh Sangwan has decided to fight a legal battle with the government on the Jat quota issue. Sangwan said, “Everyone is fighting for reservation. I am in contact with my community leaders and we will decide on June 5 protest soon.”
Jat Ekta Manch, comprising young members from the community, has decided to bring all the groups and khaps together to launch a big protest. Jat youth leader Naveen Malik said, “Time has come to launch another protest. We are requesting everyone to stop holding talks with the government and together launch a protest.”
Be prepared, Hisar IG to junior officers
Hisar range inspector general of police (IGP) OP Singh said, “Two companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been called. One has been positioned at Jat Dharamshala and second at Hansi. We are prepared for any kind of situation.”
He said they would keep a close eye on the developments and no one would be allowed to breach law. He also held a meeting with the SPs, DSPs and SHOs of five districts of the range.
Section 144 in Sonepat
The administration in Sonepat on Sunday imposed Section 144 (ban on assembly of five or more people and carrying weapons) in the district for next 60 days and DCs of other districts have ensured strict action against those indulging in violence. Jhajjar DC Anita Yadav said, “We will take strict action against those blocking traffic or causing any kind of disruption.”