BJP MP blames party leaders for Jat agitation

Vishal Joshi/ Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Kurukshatra/ Hisar, February 13

Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini on Saturday blamed a section of senior Jat leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for instigating Jats to block rail traffic at Mayyar village in Hisar.

He named Union Minister Birender Singh and state finance minister Capt Abhimanyu among others who were prompting the mob to disrupt normal life in an attempt “to pressurise the government to accept an unconstitutional demand”.

Saini demanded disciplinary action against the erring leaders of his own party for “indulging in caste politics”.

“BJP ministers supporting reservation benefit for Jats should quit government posts and sit among the protesters on the rail track. Ministers have taken an oath to abide by the Indian Constitution but for their electoral gains, the BJP leaders are encouraging Jats to block rail traffic,” he alleged.

“A section of the BJP leaders are weakening the party by publically showing solidarity with the illegitimate demand of Jats for reservation. Even the Supreme Court has ruled against giving reservation benefits to Jats. Unfortunately, leaders from our own party are working with the protesters for their personal interests,” the firebrand leader told The Tribune.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had roped in elected Jat representatives of the BJP for a dialogue till March 30, he said.

Demanding a strict police action against the protesters at Mayyar, Saini demanded to recover losses from the protesters for blocking Hisar-Delhi rail section.

“It is not for the first time that Jats are blocking the rail traffic. It is highly condemnable as the blocking the railway portrays lawlessness in Haryana. Khattar should immediately speak to the Prime Minister to deploy Central security forces to maintain law and order,” he said.

Agricultural Minister OP Dhankar held a meeting with the 11-member Jai Samiti on Saturday. Hisar Deputy Commissioner, superintendent of police and and Hansi sub-divisional magistrate accompanied him.

The organisation wants one BJP’s four Jat leaders to come down to Hisar to assure them of extending reservation benefits to the community.

Sources said that breakthrough was likely soon.

Meanwhile, a faction of the All India Jaat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti led by Yashpal Malik has extended its support to the protest at Mayyar.

“Another train blockade is likely in Sampla town of Rohtak tomorrow,” said Jat leaders.

Several protesters squatted on tracks between Hisar and Rewari near Mayyar barrier, leading to several trains being diverted.

Gorakhpur-Hisar Express was diverted via Rohtak-Jakhal- Hisar and Amritsar-Ajmer Express was diverted through Jakhal-Rohtak- Bhiwani and cancelled between Jakhal-Hisar-Bhiwani, North Western Railway PRO Kamal Joshi said.

Tilak Bridge-Sirsa Express has been diverted through the Rohtak-Jakhal-Hisar route.

Delhi-Bathinda Express was cancelled from Bhiwani to Bathinda, Fazilka-Rewari passenger was terminated at Hisar, he said.

Rewari-Sri Ganganagar passenger will be terminated at Hansi and remain cancelled between Hansi and Sri Ganganagar.

The Hisar-Jaipur passenger would be short terminated at Bhiwani in both directions.

"A number of other passenger trains have also been short- terminated at Bhiwani, Hansi and Hisar due to the blockade," railway officials said.

District president of AIJASS, Dalbir Panghal said their protest on tracks would continue till their demand was accepted by the government.  (With inputs from PTI)