In February this year, leaders from Haryana’s Jat community held large-scale protests, demanding reservation in jobs and education in the state. The protests were violent and destructive. Agitators went on a rampage, destroying public property. A railway station, mall and a minister’s house were set on fire. Several police and civilian vehicles were damaged, an armoury looted, highways dug up and railway tracks damaged.
The Haryana government had to deploy paramilitary forces to control the chaos.
A list of all the young agitators who were to be held accountable for the destruction was made. Chargesheets were filed against approximately 2120 of such agitators, 500 of whom are still in jail.
This has been a major reason for the considerably smaller number of agitators during the second round of protests.
The protests were suspended after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar promised the community reservations. He also assured that the agitators would be released soon.
However, his promises have not yet been fulfilled.
(Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)