Jats protest outside Union Home Minister''s residence demanding reservation

New Delhi, May 29

Jat leaders from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi staged a protest outside Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence here on Sunday, demanding reservation for the community, after the Punjab and Haryana High Court brought an interim stay on the reservation given to Jats and five other castes in the state.

The agitators raised slogans against the Khattar-led Haryana Government and were also heard saying “Hum apna haq le ke rahenge”. They were also raising slogans urging the Jats to unite for the cause of reservation. They chanted “Khattar sarkar murdabad”, “Jat ekta zindabad” and “jo jaton se takrayega, choor choor ho jayega”. They were also carrying placards with similar messages.

Heavy police presence was seen in the area as barricades were placed to contain the protestors.

One of the agitators said the community felt “betrayed”.

“Several farming communities have been given reservation, but why not Jats? We are also a farming community. Jats get reservation in eight states, but why not in Haryana.... They had promised us reservation, now they are backing out. Now, this agitation won't stop. We have been betrayed,” he said.

Hearing a petition challenging reservations for Jats and other castes on the grounds that it is in violation to a Supreme Court order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday brought an interim stay on the Jat reservation quota and fixed July 21 for the next hearing, when the government will file its reply.

The Haryana Cabinet had on March 28 approved the amendments in the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, which enlists Jats, Bishnois, Tyagis, and Rors in the recently sculpted Backward Classes (C) category, making them eligible for 10 per cent reservation in classes 3 and 4 posts, and six percent reservation in classes 1 and 2 jobs.

Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti are geared up to launch a state wide 'Jat Nyay rally' in Haryana from June 5.

Security tightened at key canal

Security was heightened at Sonepat's Munak canal — a key source of water for Delhi — as Jats threatened to resume their protests.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144, banning assembly was also imposed in the district, which is among the very centre of February’s protests, official sources said.

Central forces were also deployed in many sensitive districts across the state.

Protesters had disrupted water supply to the national capital by damaging the Carrier-Lined Channel (CLC) of Munak Canal during February's agitation.

Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu said on Saturday that the state government would not allow February’s violent protests that killed 30 people to reoccur.

A violent Jat agitation had crippled the state in February, which resulted in the death of many people and widespread damage to property. It was brought under control only after the army staged a flag march. — Agencies