Jats call off quota agitation after truce
NEW DELHI: Jats on Sunday called off their quota agitation scheduled for Monday in the national capital, following a truce that was reached after a meeting between the leaders of the community and the Haryana government.
Jat leaders decided to call off their agitation after a marathon four-hour meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and two Union Ministers Birender Singh and P. P. Chaudhary who both are Jats.
“Centre and state will soon begin the process of giving reservation, following the Delhi High court order,” Khattar told reporters in a joint press conference along with All India Jat Aarak- shan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) Chairperson Yashpal Malik. He also appealed to people in the state to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony.
“Ab Jat Dilli na aa rahe (Now Jats are not coming to Delhi). We have called off our agitation and march towards Delhi. The state government has agreed to our de- mands,” Malik told reporters after the meeting.
He added that the community will call off its dharna from most of the places in the state, barring few where it will continue with symbolic protests.
Besides quotas, the Jats have been demanding release of people jailed during last year’s agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protests and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.
The Jats have been sitting on dharna in various parts of Haryana since January 29.