The Jat quota agitation in Haryana was on Sunday called off after the All-India Jat Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS) held talks with the State government in Delhi.
The decision was taken on Sunday after a marathon meeting held between AIJASS president Yashpal Malik and Haryana Minister Krishan Lal Panwar in Delhi on Saturday.
The dharnas were lifted before 5 p.m. on Sunday after the government assured the agitators that their demands will be looked into within the ambit of the law.
The Jats have been demanding release of “innocent youths” arrested during the quota stir held earlier in February, adequate compensation and job to next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stir and sincere efforts by the government to get the stay on Jat reservation vacated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
They have also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters during the current phase of agitation.
Besides, Malik, AIJASS representatives went to the demonstration sites and informed protesters about the outcome of the meeting and the future course of action.
Malik said a rally will be held at Mayyar village in Hisar district on September 13 and the government’s action on the demands will be examined and the future course of action decided.
In Jind district, the dharna at Khatkar village was lifted by Jats in the presence of Yashpal Malik.
The AIJASS chief criticised several Khap (caste council) leaders, saying they had openly opposed the current agitation.
“We should be cautious of such Khap leaders,” he said, hitting out at some of them whom he dubbed as “government agents”. Many Khaps had opted out of the stir this time spearheaded by AIJASS, which began from June 5.
Meanwhile, seven activists ended their relay fast.
Malik visited the Rohtak district today after which the protesters called of their dharna. He also visited the local PWD rest house in Jind in connection with an inquiry in a case of sedition registered against him at the city police station.
On May 27, a sedition case was registered against him and some others for allegedly threatening peace and communal harmony in Haryana by instigating people to launch a fresh quota agitation.
He was quizzed for about three hours by the Jind police in this case and his statement was recorded. - PTI
The govt. assures the agitators that their demands will be looked into within the ambit of the law
