While concerns are being raised that the ongoing Jat agitation may go in the hands of anti-social elements leading to law and order problems in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Tuesday said, “Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst” as he hinted at legal complications in accepting all demands of the Jat protestors.
As the ongoing Jat agitation in various districts of Haryana entered its 17th day, the Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday deliberated upon the demands raised by the Jat protestors.
The five-member committee, headed by Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, which held talks with the Jat leaders on Saturday apprized the cabinet about the demands raised by the Jat community. The first round of talks held between the Jat leaders and the committee in Panipat had remained inconclusive while the second meeting is now expected to take place this week.
The demands of the Jats include the release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in February 2016 Jat stir in Haryana. The Jats are also demanding action against BJP MP from Kurukshetra constituency Raj Kumar Saini for his alleged anti-Jat rants.
Besides asking the State Government to put forth a strong case in HC for vacating the stay on reservation given to Jats in Haryana last year, the community has also demanded reservation in central jobs and educational institutions.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had in May 2016 stayed the Manohar lal Khattar government’s decision to grant reservation to Jats and five other communities in jobs and educational institutions under the newly created backward class ‘C’ category.
The Chief Minister while talking to the mediapersons after the cabinet meeting said the five-member committee has briefed the cabinet about the demands raised by Jat leaders.
While saying, “Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst”, the Chief Minister said that the State Government wanted to resolve the issue within the ambit of law. At the same time, he also hinted at legal complications in withdrawing cases registered under Sections 302, 307 of IPC.
It was for the first that the cabinet meeting was held at Surajkund instead of Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh.
A day before, report of the Haryana police criminal investigation department (CID) on the ongoing Jat protest was leaked following which an inquiry was marked into the leak.
Among other aspects pertaining to the Jat stir, the report had pointed out at the swelling gatherings at some dharna spots and stated that the possibility of miscreants mingling with protesters to disturb law and order situation could not be ruled out.
The report had stated that there was a gathering of about 20,000 at Jassia (Rohtak), of about 12,000 at Joli (Sonepat), about 5,000 at Rasalwala (Jhajjar), about 4,000 at Ikkas (Jind), about 2,000 in Dadri and less than 1,000 each at dharna sites in Kaithal, Hisar, Bhiwani and Panipat in Haryana.
Meanwhile, the Jat leaders have threatened to seal the borders of the National Capital Region in an attempt to mount pressure on the State Government to fulfil their demands.
Yashpal Malik, chief of Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which is spearheading the ongoing Jat agitation in Haryana said that the Delhi and Haryana Governments should make prior arrangements in case the roads to the NCR are blocked in the coming days.
Announcing that the Jat dharnas would continue till their demands are fulfilled, Malik said that the first round of talks with the State Government was positive and we are hopeful that second round of talks will be held soon.
The AIJASS has announced to observe February 19 as ‘balidan divas’ in memory of the youth killed during Jat agitation in Haryana. The Jat leaders have also announced to intensify their agitation from February 19 onwards.
The main opposition party in Haryana, INlD, has openly come out in support of the agitating Jats this time. leader of opposition and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Chautala had addressed Jat protestors at various dharna spots asking them to continue with the agitation till their demands are fulfilled.
On the other hand, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has also extended his support to the peaceful protest and has asked the State Government to fulfil the promises made to the Jats last year.
Meanwhile, Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Ram Niwas, who is part of the government appointed five-member committee of senior officers, said that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
“The situation so far has remained peaceful,: he said.
In view of the fresh Jat stir, paramilitary forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, while the state police is maintaining a strict vigil.
As many as 31 people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent.