Jats in Haryana on Wednesday threatened to launch an agitation if their demand for reservation in the Government jobs and educational institutions is not met by February 15.
Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti on Wednesday organised Jat Aarakshan Adhikaar rally at Jind in support of its demand of reservation for Jats in government job sand educational institutes. The representatives of different khaps of Haryana were also present at the rally.
The Samiti announced to observe a complete band in Haryana on February 15. It was decided to ask traders and other communities to take part in the bandh besides blocking railways and road traffic if their demands are not met by the Government by February 15.
Nafe Singh Nain, president ‘Sarv Jat Khap’ who is also the president of ‘Jat Aaraskshan Sangharsh Samiti’ Haryana presided over the rally and said that Samiti’s aim is to unite all Jat organisations to fight for their rights.
He said, “Our main aim at present is to seek reservation regarding which we had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We would continue to fight for our rights.”
Prominent Jat leader Dharam pal Chhot said the protests would continue till their demand for reservation is met.
Sube Singh, a spokesperson of Sarv Jatiya Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat, said “If reservation was not given to Jats, Samiti will start an agitation to press for its demands from February 15 onwards.”
He said the Samiti will observe a complete bandh on February 15 in Haryana and would ask traders and other communities to take part in the bandh.
He added that Jat community deserves reservation, but due to some “conspiracy”, the benefits of reservation were denied to them.
The previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Haryana Government had in 2013 accorded special backward class status to Jats. However, the decision was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July.
Haryana’s Jat community is fighting for reservations for the past several years.
The community forms nearly 30 per cent of the State’s electorate. While 25 per cent of the Jats in Haryana are Hindus, four per cent consists of the Sikhs and one per cent are Muslims, as per the information.