With the Jat agitation continuing unabated, the Haryana Government on Saturday said it has accepted the demands of the community for OBC quota. Appealing protesters to end their stir, Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar asked the agitators, to “return to their homes as the Government has accepted their demands”. After an all-party meeting on Friday, the Chief Minister said “a way will be worked out to give reservation to Jats”.
The Union Home Ministry and the Cabinet Secretary reviewed the situation in Haryana. The BJP has put the blame for the current crisis on the legacy left by the Congress party. The BJP has backed the reservation for the Jats saying the issue to include it “constitutionally” would be looked into by the Government. In a counter-criticism, the Congress accused the BJP and the RSS of pursuing “divisive” policies.
Meanwhile, the BJP lined up Jat leaders to reach out to the community and invited their representatives to hold talks with party chief Amit Shah and Union Ministers. The Centre has also asked the Haryana Government to provide security to people and property by ensuring law and order.
Khattar in a statement said that no one will be benefitted by damaging public property. Therefore, those agitating and the youth should maintain peace in the State. He also urged the people not to be swayed away by rumours.
The Jat leaders’ response came after Khattar released a statement saying that his Government has “accepted” their demands, but did not elaborate. The leaders also demanded that a compensation of Rs 50 lakh be given to the kin of the person killed in firing on Friday and a Government job to one of his family members.
All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti’s national president Yashapal Malik said, “We will not withdraw our agitation unless the State Government brings an ordinance for giving reservation to Jats.
“We will not accept mere statements issued by Khattar. The Government will have to promulgate ordinance first. The Government should pass a Bill in this regard in the Assembly,” he said.
A host of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have appealed for peace in Haryana. “I appeal to the people of Haryana to maintain peace and brotherhood. Mutual harmony and dialogue can alone resolve any issue,” Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said he will go on a fast at Jantar Mantar from Sunday to drive home the message of peace. Talking to PTI, Hooda said he wanted to go on a fast in Rohtak but in view of the gravity of the situation, he decided to shift the venue to Delhi.