Jat stir a political conspiracy: Haryana FM cautions people against vested interests

Chandigarh: As fresh pro-quota agitation by Jats continued for the 12th consecutive day today, Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu today cautioned the people, saying “it is a political conspiracy by some vested interests”.

The Minister said the present BJP dispension in the state had got a law enacted for reservation and then recommended it be incorporated in 9th schedule of the Constitution.

“But some people are trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere of the state by misleading the youth,” an official release quoted him as saying.

He urged the youth not to get mislead and suggested the members of all communities to act wisely.

Abhimanyu, whose house in Rohtak was burnt down by miscreants during Jat quota stir in February, said the current protests in the state were not being made to get benefit of reservation “but it is a political conspiracy by some vested interests.”

He said that some people see themselves being trapped in the investigation into incidents of arson during agitation and they fear that they would soon be behind bars.

“Therefore, such people were again trying to create disturbance by misleading the youth,” he said.

Abhimanyu also hit out at Congress and INLD, alleging that both these parties were never serious about the reservation issue when they were in power in the state.

The current phase of Jat stir is being spearheaded by All-India Jat Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti, Its Rohtak unit president Ashok Balhara today claimed that the state government had invited some Khaps for talks in Panchkula tomorrow.

He rued that the Samiti’s national president had not been invited and demanded that he should be involved towards any solution to the imbroglio.

As the Jat stir continued, INLD also lend its support, with party’s senior leader Abhay Chautala yesterday addressing their gatherings at many places.

The state today remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported, officials said here.

Chautala has so far maintained that his party INLD favours continuation of reservation given to Jats and five other communities.

“We will raise the issue in the next session of the Assembly,” he had said.

After the Jat stir turned violent in February claiming 30 lives, the BJP government had brought in laws to provide reservation to them and five other communities under a newly-carved Backward Classes (C) category.

However, the High Court stayed it, acting on a public interest litigation, after which some Jat groups announced the fresh stir.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said leaders of political parties who are visiting the spots of Jat reservation dharnas should not politicise the issue.

He said the government has done its job by enacting a law on reservation.

“As the matter is pending before the court, everyone must cooperate so as to get the stay vacated. Government is also working in this direction,” he told reporters in Chandigarh.

He urged the protesters to come forward for negotiation.

PTI