Quota row: Jats start foot march to Delhi

Members of the Jat community in Haryana, led by various Khaps, while launching a massive protest against the Centre and state government, started marching towards New Delhi on Sunday.

The community, which has been demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutes, have threatened to block all entry and exit points to Delhi on December 23.

On Sunday, the Jats started marching towards Delhi from across Haryana and are expected to reach the Delhi border in a few days. After taking a brief halt at Rohtak on December 20, they would start agitation on the Delhi borders near Sonepat and Bahadurgarh on December 23, a spokesman of Jat Arakshan Sanghrash Samiti told PTI.

This is the second time, this year, that Jats have launched a massive stir demanding reservation. Despite the fact that the Haryana Backward Classes Commission (HCCB) had recommended a Special Backward Class status for Jats and four other castes — Rors, Jat Sikhs, Bishnois and Tyagis — which the state government has also accepted, the Jats have termed it as nothing but an eyewash.

"How will the state government implement 10 per cent reservation because with this special quota, the reservation percentage in Haryana will exceed 50 per cent. The Supreme Court does not approve of reservation beyond 50 per cent. Already, 49 per cent reservations exist. The state government will not be able to give reservation to us in the way they are claiming. But we will not budge. Reservation is our right and we will have it," said Sube Singh, spokesperson of Sarvjat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti.

Om Prakash Mann, state chief of Jat Mahasabha, said: "We are not in favour of violence and thus, have chosen a protest march to convey our message to the Centre. Our agitation will continue till the government grants us adequate reservation. Jats from Bhiwani, Hisar, Palwal, Karnal, Rohtak, Panipat and Jhajjar have joined hands and have started marching towards Delhi."

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