Haryana Cabinet approves Jat reservation bill

Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved the draft Bill to provide reservation to Jats in government jobs and educational institutions.

Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS), the body that spearheaded the Jat quota stir in February, had on Sunday threatened to resume the agitation if its demands are not met by the end of this month.

The BJP-led state government had earlier said it will bring the Bill to give reservation to Jats and four other castes-Jat Sikhs, Bishnois, Tyagis and Rors in the ongoing Budget session which is scheduled to end on March 31.

The community has been demanding reservation in the existing backward classes (BC) category. The Backward Classes quota is bifurcated in two categories--BC-A and BC-B having 16 and 11% reservation respectively.

In February, 30 people had lost their lives during the nine-day violent agitation by Jats demanding 10% quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

Several districts including Rohtak, the epicentre of Jat agitation, Jhajjar, Kaithal, Jind, Sonipat and Bhiwani had witnessed violence.

Jats are also demanding withdrawal of FIRs registered against the protesters, compensation to those killed during the stir and action against BJP MP from Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini for his anti-Jat reservation stand.