Khaps, Jats join hands against ‘outsiders’

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 17

Khaps and Jat committees today announced to launch a special campaign in the state to persuade residents against attending the ongoing agitation led by “outsiders”. After a three-hour meeting with government representatives here at Kisan Bhawan, Jat leaders expressed satisfaction with the efforts being made by the authorities.

Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar and political adviser to CM Jagdish Chopra interacted with the committee members.

The leaders put the Jat reservation issue on the back burner and shifted their focus to the demand for the release of the arrested Jat youths and compensation and jobs for the families of those who died in the February violence.

“Yashpal Malik is an outsider and he is spoiling the atmosphere of the state. From tomorrow, our leaders will visit all agitation sites and convince our residents not to play into the hands of the outsiders and shun agitation,” said Sube Singh Sumain, spokesman, Samasat Jat Samaj Sangathan.

The Jat leaders said they would launch an agitation if the government fails to fulfil their demands.

“The government has raised the issue in court and we are satisfied with it,” said Dalel Singh Khatkar, president, Khatkar khap.

Leaders of 50 khaps, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Sangharsh Samiti, Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, All-India Jat Mahasabha and other Jat bodies attended the meeting.

“Our government is very serious about the issue,” said Dhankar after the meeting.

Leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Samiti (ABJASS), however, stayed away from the meeting and alleged that only government agents had been today called for talks.

“I have the support of 50 Haryana khaps and will meet the government only with them, not with government puppets who were called today. Our peaceful agitation will continue,” said Yashpal Malik, ABJASS president.

UP leader ignored

The meeting turned out to be Haryanavi versus non-Haryanavi as state leaders did not allow a UP Jat leader to share his views with Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar and political adviser to CM Jagdish Chopra.