Haryana Jats to launch agitation for reservation

CHANDIGARH: Backing the Patel community's demand for reservation in Gujarat, Jats in Haryana today threatened to launch an agitation in the state to press for their demand of OBC quota.

"Jats in Haryana will launch an agitation next month. It will be peaceful," All India Jat Aarkshan Sangarsh Samiti Haryana president Hawa Singh Sangwan said.

The previous Hooda government had in 2013 accorded special backward class status to Jats. However, the decision was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court last month.

Sangwan criticised the police action against protesters in parts of Gujarat, saying that "everyone has the right to fight for justice in a democracy".

In Gujarat, eight people have died in widespread violence triggered by a snowballing movement for reservations for the Patel community. The government has deployed the army and imposed curfew in parts of the state to control the situation.

"If Jats did not get their right, they will intensify their agitation in future," he warned.

"We (Jats) don't indulge in agitation, but if we are not given our due, we never sit silent," Sangwan said.

Jats in Haryana are also in touch with people from other communities, including Rors and have formed 'brigades' for the proposed agitation.