Jats intensify their disruption of the Games
On Thursday, Yash Pal Malik, president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJA), announced that the plans of the Haryana Jat people to peacefully disrupt the New Delhi Commonwealth Games have been intensified, due to the failure of the Haryana
government to respond to their pressures for government aid and retribution. Malik has announced the intention to block the borders of New Delhi on October 3, the opening day of the Games.
"So far we have not got any satisfactory reply from the Haryana government. We have decided to intensify our peaceful campaign,” said Malik. “We will seal Delhi's borders Oct 3. We will not allow any commodity of daily use to reach Delhi. Only then the central
government will start paying heed to our demands."
The Jat people had previously announced they will be actively disrupting the Queen’s Baton Relay as it passes through Haryana, and will enforce the closure of all bazaars along the route. The president of the district has expressed his support of the Jats
and demanded that government revoke all charges against any Jat people that may have been pressed during previous protests.
“From today, we have started 'guerilla action' under which we will suddenly stop any train and block any road without prior intimation,” said Malik. “On September 27, when the Queen's Baton Relay enters Haryana, we will show black flags. But we will make
sure that nobody indulges in any violence."
Since the abolishment of the caste system in 1931, the Haryana Jats have been categorized as a forward class, which means they do not qualify for any government benefits. The forward class is estimated to include approximately 10% of the population of India,
though the list is dynamic (communities can be re-categorized as a forward or backward class at any time).
The Haryana Jats are seeking status as an Other Backward Class (OBC). The Indian constitution states that it is obligatory for the government to “...investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and
the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the union or any state to remove such difficulties and as to improve their condition.”
OBC status for the Jats would force the Haryana government to reserve government jobs and places in educational institutions for the Jat people.
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