The proposed march of Jat protesters to Delhi on Monday in support of their demands, including reservation under the Other Backward Classes, was called off after the government promised to expedite the process of granting reservation to the community and meet their other demands in a time-bound manner.
The decision was taken following a marathon meeting of Jat leaders with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Ministers at Haryana Bhawan here on Sunday.
Two rounds of talks
Following two rounds of talks with Mr. Khattar, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti national president Yashpal Malik made an announcement in the evening calling off the proposed march and adding that most of the ongoing dharnas across Haryana would also be lifted by March 26. He, however, said that a few token dharnas by members of the samiti would continue till their demands were actually met.
Meanwhile, 18 police personnel, including an SP and a DSP, were among 35 injured when Jat protesters clashed with the police on being prevented from marching towards Delhi.
Mr. Khattar told a press conference that the process to include the community in the Central list of OBC category would be initiated soon after the chairman and the other members of the National Commission for Backward Classes were appointed.
He also agreed to initiate the process to include the Jats quota law in the ninth schedule of the Constitution after the Punjab and Haryana High Court case pertaining to their reservation in the State was settled.
“We have also decided to review the cases registered against the members of the community during the Jat reservation agitation since 2010. Besides, the next of kin of those killed and those handicapped during the violence last year would be given regular government jobs and ex gratia would be disbursed to the injured at the earliest,” said Mr. Khattar.
The Chief Minister also assured Jat leaders that the role of officials during the violence would be investigated and action initiated against the guilty.
Mr. Chaudhary said the Union government would act as per law to grant reservation to the community so that it stood legal scrutiny.
Meanwhile Jat protesters prevented from marching to Delhi set fire to two police buses during the clash that took place in Dhani Gopal village on the Sirsa-Hisar-Delhi national highway.
Fatehabad’s SP O.P. Narwal, who sustained minor injury on his hand, said 18 police personnel, including two women, were injured in the incident.
“A woman ASI and a woman constable were among the injured police personnel,” he said.
