Khattar evades question on Jat reservation

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday refrained from commenting on Jat reservation issue saying the matter is sub-judice.

Khattar's statement comes after India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) president Yashpal Malik announced that another agitation demanding reservation for the community will be held in the beginning of 2018.

Speaking to media here, Khattar said "This issue has been pending since long. We have also suggested all possible measures to combat agitation in the state. This matter (Jat reservation) has been taken to Punjab and Haryana High Court; we will wait for them to decide on it".

"But from our side we have given all papers and documents regarding it," he said.

Yesterday, a massive rally was organised in Jaisa where Yashpal Malik, accused the BJP0-led Haryana Government of backtracking on its promise of giving reservation to the Jats.

Malik said, "We will launch a fresh agitation if our demands are not fulfilled by December. We demand reservations for Jats at central and state level. A meeting of ABJASS will be held on December 3 to decide the future course of action."

Besides reservation in government jobs and educational institutions at central and state level, the Jats have been demanding the release of youths arrested during quota stir in Haryana and withdrawal of cases registered against them.

The Jat agitation in February 2016 had turned violent, leaving 31 people dead and scores of others injured. Government and private property and vehicles worth hundreds of crores were also damaged in the agitation.