Quota stir: Jat leaders reject Haryana government offer, agitation to continue

Chandigarh: Demanding the inclusion of the Jats in the OBC category, agitating Jat leaders rejected the offer made by Haryana government and asserted that their agitation would continue till their demand is met.

"There is no solid offer made by Haryana government. BJP government is just trying to befool Jats as its intentions with regard to giving reservation to Jats is not clean," All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti's national president, Yashapal Malik said.

After holding an all party meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the state government will prepare a draft bill for giving reservation to Jats and suggestions have also been sought from all parties in this regard.

Khattar, earlier in the day, said the Government has "positive approach" on Jats' demand and if all parties agree, then the government would bring a Bill in the ensuing session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

Reacting to it, Mailk said, "the government should first bring an ordinance and then bring a Bill in Haryana Vidhan Sabha for giving reservation to Jats. If government does it, then it will be acceptable to us," he said.

Over the death of one person in firing in Rohtak, Malik said "It is the government which indulged in violence. Jats are very angry with the BJP government over the death of one person. Our agitation will continue till our demand is met."

Earlier in the day, Mailk had threatened to intensify agitation in other parts of the state including Panchkula and Yamunanagar.

"We want BJP government in Haryana to bring legislation in the upcoming budget session to include Jats in OBC category," he said.

"Only Haryana CM has problem in giving reservation to Jats. Rest of leaders in BJP is in favour of giving reservation," he said.

Malik also accused Khattar of having "castiest mentality".

"Khattar has jatiwadi mansikta (casteist mentality) because he is not a Jat. He is trying to prove himself as a leader of non-Jat people in the state by way of not giving reservation to Jats as was done by former Haryana CM Bhajan Lal in the past. His (Khattar) stand is against party line. The problem in Haryana today arose because of his mentality," Malik said.