Haryana assembly to discuss Jat agitation on Wednesday

The Speaker, however, observed that the matter of Jat reservation was sub-judice and could not be discussed.

Chandigarh, Feb 28: The legislative assembly will on Wednesday discuss the issue of the ongoing Jat agitation in the state, Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal has said. Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala moved an adjournment motion during the budget session of the assembly here on Tuesday. The Congress party, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also sought a discussion on the issue.

The Speaker, however, observed that the matter of Jat reservation was sub-judice and could not be discussed. The INLD and Congress leaders, however, said the issues of the Jat community, which was agitating across Haryana since January 29, were different from the reservation issue this time.

Following this, the Speaker allowed discussion on the matter to be held on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told the media outside the state assembly that the Jat agitation, other than the reservation issue, would be discussed in the assembly.

Chautala said the BJP government had failed to implement the demands of the Jat community even after agreeing to these last year. The agitation by the Jat community, under the aegis of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), completed 31 days on Tuesday.

Talks between the state government and the Jat leaders hit a roadblock recently as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against some Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year.

The Jat community members have been holding protests across Haryana in support of their demands. Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against the officers who ordered action against the Jats, among others.

Violence during the agitation last year had left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was damaged during the violence in February 2016.

--IANS