Jats call off march to Delhi after meeting Haryana CM; internet, traffic curbs eased

Chandigarh: Jat leaders called off their planned agitation in Delhi on Monday after their meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

“Our agitation and march towards Delhi have been called off,” chief of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti Yashpal Malik said.

After the meeting, CM Khattar sought cooperation from people to maintain peace and harmony. 

He said that Jat reservation process at the centre will begin after the appointment of chairman and members of National Commission for Backward Classes.

Confirming the suspension of Jats' "Delhi Kooch", Union minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said, "Whatever has happened is in the interest of Govt & Jat community."

The news comes after Jat protesters clashed with police in Faridabad in Haryana on Sunday in which four policemen, including a DSP was injured.

A Jat leader alleged that police lobbed tear gas shells and tried to disperse them when they were marching peacefully.

He further claimed that a few protesters were also injured in the clash in Dhani Gopal village on Sirsa-Hisar Delhi National Highway.

The police said protesters pelted stones and damaged their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have lifted the traffic restrictions in the national capital in view of the suspension of the agitation.

Special Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak said Delhi Metro, buses and the local trains will operate as usual. However, security arrangements will remain as they are.

Sunday's talks between Haryana chief minister and Jat leaders come ahead of their plan to gherao the Parliament on Monday in support of their demands.

The Jats in Haryana have been demanding quotas in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category.

They want the government to introduce a Bill in the Assembly to ensure reservations.

Besides quotas, they also demanded the Khattar government to release their associates jailed during last year's quota stir.

Jats are predominantly engaged in farming and are considered affluent due to large land holdings.

Jats comprise nearly 30% of Haryana’s population and are seeking to be included under the OBC category.

The previous Congress government gave Jats reservation but the Supreme Court in 2016 nullified the move, saying that the government should only expand affirmative action “to permit entry of the most distressed.”

The current state government has sought to meet some of their demands.

It has formed a five-member committee headed by Chief Secretary DS Dhesi to hold talks with the agitating Jats.

At least 30 people had lost their lives during the Jat agitation last year.

On February 19, Jats observed 'Balidan Divas' at different places in the country in the memory of those who lost their lives during the agitation.

The All India Jat Mahasabha claimed that their stir continued since 2005 in 13 states, including UP, Uttarakhand, Delhi, MP, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.