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"Apart from the demands for quota under the OBC category, the Jats are also demanding release of those jailed in last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped against the protestors, and government jobs for those who were killed or injured in the previous agitation"
The home ministry is drawing up a strategy to protect the high security regions in the national capital from the potential threat of Jat agitators who have threatened to lay siege to the Parliament on March 20. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, on Tuesday, chaired a high level meeting with the his counterparts from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi to discuss the strategy and deployment of security forces—so that there were no potential unrests in the high security zone around Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Speaking to THE WEEK, Yashpal Malik, the president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti—which is spearheading the protests—said that 25-30 lakh protestors were preparing to storm the capital and that they would carry food, water, towels and other items since they planned to squat wherever they were stopped by the police forces and continue with their dharnas on the roads.
The Delhi police has been put on the job, with the Delhi police chief and the top security brass being called for a meeting on Tuesday to implement a foolproof plan.
"We discussed the security plan for potential threats to law and order in the capital in the run-up to March 20. The agitators cannot be allowed to breach security and create law and order problems," said a home ministry official.
The Jat agitators have threatened to block roads leading to the city, staging protests in support of their various demands—including reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the community. The protestors plan to submit a memorandum on the quota issue to the president. Apart from the demands for quota under the OBC category, the Jats are also demanding release of those jailed in last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped against the protestors, and government jobs for those who were killed or injured in the previous agitation.
Malik said that a government panel, consisting of home secretary and cabinet secretary, had met them in February but did not have any solutions to offer. "They wanted us to end the agitation on the basis of their assurances. But when the real decision-making power lies with their political masters, we demand that a cabinet minister speak to us. The BJP is in power both at the Centre and in the state. Clearly, if the government is not acting, it means that they are not serious about anything and have nothing to offer to us."
He said that 31 protestors had been killed last year, even as 60 persons were arrested and jailed in Haryana. "Our demand is that the arrested persons be released immediately and government jobs be given to the families of the deceased," he said. For Malik, the agitation was of the people and not just Jat community. Out of the 60 persons in jails, only 31 are Jats, he said. Malik said the agitation will take place in 20 zillas in Haryana and that it has been more than a month, but none from the political establishment had given them an audience.
"This government is behaving like they are kings. They are not bothered about people's concerns. Rajao ki sarkar hai yeh ( this is a government of kings)," he said.
Malik however assured that the Jat agitation will not be violent and that the protestors have been asked to remain peaceful. “If the police wants to stop us, let them. We will squat on the roads and continue with our agitation. If they want to arrest us, let them put us behind bars. Let the government arrest 25-30 lakh people, let them fill their jails with us,” he said.
