Jat protesters dig in their heels as Congress, INLD extend support
STANDOFF All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti chief says yet to get govt invite for talks
ROHTAK: In what may add to troubles of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Congress on Tuesday extended support to Jat protesters over their demands for quota in education and jobs and release of youths held in cases registered after the stirrelated violence in February.
The two parties voiced their support at a time when the Khattar government has invited the agitators belonging to All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) for a dialogue on their demands. The dialogue between representatives of agitators and top functionaries of the state government, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, is now expected to take place at Panchkula on Friday.
The protesters, however, said that they would hold talks with the government only if AIJASS chief Yashpal Malik, who is facing sedition charges, is invited. Malik denied having received any communication from the government for talks.
The support from leaders of Congress and INLD came on the 10th day of the ongoing agitation after members of the organising committee had written to 10 MPs and legislators, inviting them to join their dharna and support their demands.
The letters were sent to former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda among others, according to sources.
While INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala announced his support for the protesting Jats and plans to travel to protest sites in Jind and Kaithal districts on Wednesday, Dangi and Sri Krishan Hooda, both considered close to Bhupinder Singh Hooda, went to Jasia – the epicentre of the ongoing protest – in Rohtak to express solidarity with the protesters.
Dangi and Sri Krishan Hooda lashed out at the BJP government for mishandling the quota stir and blaming the protesters for the February violence in several districts of the state. The two leaders were soon shouted down. Their political statements did not go down well with the AIJASS members, who maintained that they would not let any party make their protest a battleground to settle scores with political rivals.
“We will not let any political party take advantage of our dharna to fulfil their political motives. For us, all leaders are same, except (BSP chief) Mayawati, who has supported the reservation demand of the Jat community,” AIJASS district president Ashok Balhara said.
Meanwhile, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said: “It is wrong for them(protesters) to hold protests now because the matter is in the court and even administrative officers had started a dialogue with them.”