Jats to launch quota stir today, will block rail, road

BHARATPUR: The district administration is on high alert as Jats are all set to launch their agitation for quota on Friday by blocking road and rail in Bharatpur.

The move comes even after the OBC commission submitted its report to the state government on Thursday. Jat leaders have warned that they will block rail and road traffic from 9.30 am on Friday. The main sit-in points are Kherli Mod on Agra-Jaipur national highway-21, Rarah on Mumbai-Delhi railway track, Alwar-Delhi highway and Agra-Bandikui railway track.

Members of Bar Association of Bharatpur, traders and people from all castes have extended support to the agitation. Traders will shut down the market and advocates will also strike to support the agitation. “We are not ready to believe the government’s assurance on reservation. The government has accepted the OBC commission’s survey report, but we will not call off our stir as the government can delay the notification of quota bill till the upcoming assembly elections in 2018,” Jat leader Vishvendra Singh said on Thursday. He said that they want the government to appoint transport minister Yunus Khan for negotiations.

“Khan will not make false commitments as he is observing Roza. Our blockade, however, will continue,” he said.

Convenor of Bharatpur-Dholpur Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti Nem Singh said that the community will celebrate Vishvendra Singh’s birthday as ‘struggle day’ in the form of blockades. Congress MLA from Kumher-Deeg Vishvendra Singh is an erstwhile royal family member and a patron of Bharatpur Dholpur Jat Aarakshan Sanghars Samiti and has a large following in the Jat community.

SP Anil Kumar Tank said that arrangements have been made to maintain law and order and action will be taken against those who break the law.

District collector of Bharatpur Narendra Kumar Gupta said sector magistrates have been appointed to oversee the situation and to maintain law and order. The Jats have been demanding Other Backward Class (OBC) status which will give them reservation in education and jobs.

On August 10, 2015, the Rajasthan HC had quashed the 1999 state government order saying that no survey was done before giving reservation to Jats.