Jat quota row: Identity of non-Jats under fear

Rohtak, Feb 25: Identity of non-Jats in violence hit Haryana has come under fear. People were wary of telling strangers their surname in view of unrestrained, brute violence in Haryana's Rohtak district between February 18 and 21.

The violence resulted into loss of damage to private property when Jat agitators went on rampage seeking OBC quotas for themselves.

Non-Jats in Haryana prefer to introduce themselves by their first name only.

"It's because of the riots and the way they (rioters) behaved. If the person talking to you is a Jat, he may feel offended by our words. The situation is not good," Udayveer Sawhney of Rohtak's Qila Road was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

Violencemongers damaged establishments of many non-Jats in the state.

Lovleen Tuteja, who is also part of BJP's media cell, confirmed that people were wary of telling strangers their surname.

"The way our homes and shops were targeted, we want to be doubly sure that the person in front won't harm us. It's only after we are satisfied that we share our surnames," Loveleen said.

Prativindhya Saini, a management student, said differences had cropped up between classmates and that suddenly friends from the Jat community aren't friendly anymore. "The way things are now, there's fear regarding even good friends from the community," Prativindhya said.

Its not only non-Jats, - even Jats are uncomfortable about revealing their caste these days.

OneIndia News