The Jat leaders on Tuesday decided to postpone their proposed agitation till March 31 following an assurance given by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal in a meeting held here on the issue of giving reservation to the Jat community.
The Jat leaders have announced to postpone the proposed ‘bandh’ and ‘rasta-roko’ agitation on February 15 across the state till March 31.
The Chief Minister Manohar lal on Tuesday directed to constitute a four-member committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to prepare outline for future action after studying all aspects related to reservation to special backward classes. The committee would submit its report by March 31.
The representatives of the Sarva Khap Jat including Dharampal Chhaut, Nafe Singh Nain among others were present in the meeting. After the meeting, president, Sarva Khap Jat, Sube Singh Samain announced to cancel the proposed ‘rasta-roko’ agitation for reservation to Jats to be held on February 15.
The chain hunger strike started by Jat leaders in Narwana would also be called off. Jat leaders under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Adarsh Jat Mahasabha (ABAJM) had started chain hunger strike outside the SDM’s office in Narwana on Monday to press their demands for reservation.
On the other hand, the Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti had announced to observe a complete bandh in Haryana on February 15 demanding reservation for Jat community while the leaders of the Samast Jat Samaj Sangathan had announced to seal the borders of the state from February 15.
Meanwhile, Jat leader Hawa Singh Sanghwan maintained that though all agitations have been cancelled till March 31, Mayyar rally will be held on January 12. Mayyar village of Hisar, which was the epicentre of the Jat agitation three years ago, has been chosen by various Jat groups for the rally on January 12.
Notably, 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 percent of the state’s electorate. While 25 percent of the Jats in Haryana are Hindus, 4 percent consists of the Sikhs and one percent are Muslims, as per the information.
During the meeting with Jat leaders, the Chief Minister Manohar lal on Tuesday made it clear that the State Government is always with every person belonging to backward classes irrespective of any community to which he belongs. He said that he would work towards maintaining harmony in the state and it is the responsibility of every person to understand the issues and maintain peace in the state.
The CM said that he considers 2.5 crore population of Haryana as his family and has been working towards welfare of the people by rising above caste and politics and following the principle of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ and ‘Antyodaya’.
Manohar lal said that the recently concluded elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions have given a new definition to politics of Haryana.
The Chief Minister added that it is the duty of every citizen to follow the Constitution and law.