Haryana braces for Jat stir, govt invites leaders for talks

Haryana braced for a renewed quota agitation on Thursday, even as the government made an attempt to avert it by inviting Jat leaders for talks on Friday with a promise of getting a Bill on reservation passed during the ongoing Budget session that ends on March 31.

Bracing for the stir, the state government also deployed paramilitary forces and police in sensitive districts. The state had witnessed widespread violence during the first phase of the agitation last month that left 30 people dead and caused extensive loss.

The Centre has sent paramilitary forces to the state, which are being deployed in sensitive areas like Rohtak and Jhajjar districts.

To defuse the situation, the state government invited the Jat leaders for talks.

“Our leaders will be meeting the chief secretary and director general of police tomorrow afternoon as per the government invitation,” All India Jat Aarakshan Sanghursh Samiti president Yashpal Malik said. “Till then, we will not resume our agitation,” adding “after meeting the top officials the next course of action will be taken.”

In the evening, Chief Minister Manohar Lal said the Jat reservation Bill could be brought during the current Assembly session “on any day.”

In a brief statement, he said, “The Bill is being drafted after consideration of every aspect and discussion with all stakeholders. This Bill may be introduced in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on any day during the ongoing Budget Session.”

Finance Minister Abhimanya earlier said, “We are sure that during this session, this Bill will be passed.” He told reporters that it is taking time to draft the Bill as the government wants to make it sure the new law does not get entangled in a legal quagmire. “The Bill (to give reservation to Jats) is being drafted and we are making efforts to bring and pass such a Bill in the assembly which is in the interest of Haryana people and it does not get entangled in legal quagmire... This is why it is taking time (for introducing Bill in assembly),” he said.

He asked Jat organisations to give their suggestions to draft this for their benefit instead of giving ultimatum on resuming agitation.