Will expose BJP for ‘failure’ to deliver on Jat issues: AIJASS
LS POLLS Will take out ‘Bhaichara Yatra’ on 100 Jat-dominated seats in 13 states to tell voters how party is on backfoot over its promises to ensure reservation to Jats, other issues
HISAR: The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) on Saturday said it will expose the BJP in the run-up to the coming Lok Sabha polls for its “failure to deliver on its promises” to ensure reservation for Jats and withdraw cases against community youths in connection with violence during 2016 quota stir in Haryana.
Talking to mediapersons here, AIJASS national president Yashpal Malik said they will take out a ‘Bhaichara Yatra’ on 100 Jat-dominated seats in 13 states in the country to educate voters of “chhattis biradari” (all communities) on how the saffron party is now on the back foot over these promises. “We are sure that people will understand what we want to say.”
ALLEGES BJP LEADERS’ ROLE IN VIOLENCE DURING 2016 STIR
Malik also alleged that some BJP leaders were behind the violence that took place during the proquota stir in February 2016.
“There were some leaders of the BJP who provoked violence in the state. Party’s Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini had been giving anti-jat statements at that time and a youth squad formed by Saini even attacked people at various places, leading to tension and violence in the state,” he charged. “Also, it were the BJP leaders who gave the slogan of ‘35 Brirdari’ thereby isolating the Jat community,” he added. Malik claimed not even a single AIJASS leader wanted breach of peace in the state during the 2016 stir.
Regarding the government’s promise on withdrawing cases against Jat youths, he said, “We made consistent appeals to the government in this regard, but the recent conviction of Jat youths has made the position of the government clear. Now, the AIJASS will take the matter to the high court to challenge the decision of the lower court.”
Ruling out any protest on the Jat issue in the coming days, Malik said there is no plan for the time being to sit on a dharna or to launch fresh agitation. “We will now focus on the Bhaichara Yatra that we will take out in 13 states.” Malik earlier addressed a meeting of Jat leaders at the community centre here and directed them to launch a doorto-door campaign to sensitise people on Jat issues.
“Our motive is to get reservation under the OBC quota, withdrawal of criminal cases against Jat youths lodged in jails in connection with violence during 2016 pro-quota stir,” he added.
There were some leaders of the BJP who provoked violence in the state during the 2016 pro-jat quota agitation . Party’s Kurukshetra lawmaker Raj Kumar Saini had been giving anti-jat statements at that time, leading to tension.
YASHPAL MALIK, AIJASS leader