Blame game in Haryana assembly over Jat stir violence

The Haryana government and the opposition on Tuesday traded charges in the assembly over the February violence during the Jat quota stir.

While Agriculture Minister Om Parkash Dhankar accused Congress and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders, the opposition accused the Manohar Lal Khattar government of "inept handling" of the situation.

"The government conceded all the demands regarding reservation raised by the khaps and other (Jat) organisations, but subsequently the Congress misled the youth at Sampla and hijacked the agitation that led to arson and violence in the state," Dhankar told the assembly here.

"Members of the INLD spared no effort to fan the flames of agitation. When all demands were conceded after a meeting of Jat representatives with the chief minister, INSO (Indian National Student Organisation) state president Pardeep Deswal made statements that the Jats will not agree to any decision and intensified the agitation. A CD (compact disc) of Deswal's provocative speech is with the government," the minister said.

Dhankar was replying to an adjournment motion moved by leader of opposition and INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala and Independent MLA Jai Parkash.

In turn, the Congress and INLD legislators blamed the BJP government for the inept handling of the stir.

The minister said the Congress, which ruled the state from 2005 to 2014, damaged the brotherhood among different sections of society in Haryana for political mileage.

"The Congress, for its own benefit, gave reservation to the Jats with certain flaws," he alleged.

Dhankar said dharnas were held by the Jats at 449 places in support of the reservation demand but police did not cane charge the protesters anywhere.

"Police force was used only at places where houses and other establishments were set afire by anti-social elements. When we look at the state's map, arson and violence occurred only at Sampla, Kiloi, Beri, Gohana and such places that are represented by the Congress members," the minister said.