Jats stand divided over common cause

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23

The Jat leadership pushing for Other Backward Class status for the community in Haryana is divided as it gears up to launch another agitation to press for its demand even as the BJP government in the state seems to be banking on factionalism and its preparedness to deal with the situation.

The Yashpal Malik-led faction, claiming support of a majority of khaps, will start an indefinite agitation in 19 districts on January 29 as per its announced schedule.

The Mool Chand Dahiya group, which parted ways with Malik during the agitation in February last year, will open its account in Rohtak with a demonstration on January 27.

Another Jat leader, Hawa Singh Sangwan, said he would hold a meeting of supporters in Sonepat on January 26 to convince them against participating in any agitation till the court verdict on the fate of FIRs registered against members of the community during the February agitation, which turned violent.

“Our programme is final and there is no scope for any postponement. We will begin our protest simultaneously from 19 districts of the state on January 29. While a token day-long protest will be held in Gurugram, the district, along with Panchkula and Mewat, is not in our protest plan,” Malik said.

He added that khap leaders would begin announcing their support to the agitation shortly.

Dahiya, who worked closely with Malik in the previous agitation, fell out with him over clearing railway tracks after a meeting with the Union Home Minister.

“Malik is an outsider and we don’t need him to fight our battles. We will launch an indefinite protest in Rohtak on January 27. This time, no matter how many sacrifices it requires, we will get our reservation. Nobody martyred during the agitation will be cremated,” Dahiya said.

The state’s court route to settle matters was only a time-buying tactic, he claimed.

Meanwhile, openly declaring his disinterest in any agitation for the time being, Sangwan said the court was hearing cases pertaining to FIRs registered against members of the Jat community for the arson that followed last year’s agitation.

“Any protest now will only irk the courts and we will not be able to get justice for our people. I will try and convince community leaders to wait for the outcome before deciding the next course of action,” he said.

Sources in the government said the police were in a state of preparedness to deal with any eventuality. He said senior officers were being designated supervisory duties in the field. All dharnas would be videographed, he added.

For the agitation on January 29, the Haryana Government had sent a requisition for 55 companies of Central security forces and issued a call-out notice to depute 7,000 Home Guards in the state.

Ram Niwas, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, said leaders of various organisations had promised to hold dharnas in a peaceful manner, but the administration was geared up to maintain law and order.

While District Magistrates had been appointed, all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) had been directed to ensure that highways and railway tracks were not obstructed and no damage caused to property.

Ram Niwas reviewed security with DCs and SPs through video-conferencing. He directed DCs and SPs to deal with any violence during the agitation with a heavy hand.