The present Jat agitation which spread throughout Haryana and some minor parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan has very little to do with social or economic upliftment of community
New Delhi: The basis of giving reservation to any community or caste is for social and economic upliftment. But present Jat agitation which spread throughout Haryana and some minor parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan has very little to do with social or economic upliftment of the community as it has traditionally been the landlords who are settled around Delhi NCR.
And to find a socially and economically backward Jat is a tough task. The community has been extra-rich due to being owners of land around Delhi, which is also one of the fertile region of India.
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The advent of modern education provided Jats a major share in all government services and business, strengthening the grip of the community in area surrounding Delhi and NCR. This was well reflected when the Jat community came on roads indulging in hooliganism and loot as well as cutting the water and other essential supply to national capital.
Seeing the negativity, and violence attached to this movement, the rich and influential who were earlier supporting the reservation cause have turned against it. Members of Jat community believe that in absence of unity among Jats from different state -- UP, Rajasthan & Haryana and different voices of Jat leaders, the present agitation demanding reservation has deviated from its purpose and invited critisism within and outside community.
However, Sunday mid-day talks to many extra-rich Jats, who supported the reservation to their community members.
Jatin Sahrawat (30): belongs tp family of landlords, Owns a Construction firm. Education: Riverdale High School, Dehradun, London School of Economics (External program in BSc Business). worked with Deutsche Bank as Relationship Manager for one year and now running his own construction firm. Personal worth about 40 crore, family worth about 70 crore. Lives in Gurgaon.
"It is only in Delhi NCR that Jats are enjoying luxurious life whereas if you move 100 km away from Delhi NCR, you can see the actual status of the Jats. They can barely make a living after putting so much hard effort."
Vikrant Tokas (30): Education: MBA in Marketing from Amity University. Profession: Owns a Finance Company. Owns cars like Porshe, Mercedes. Belongs to Munirika Village and lives in Safdarganj Enclave.
Vikrant Tokas
"I don't need reservation, but my community needs it. I believe, Reservation will help us to change people's perception towards our community. We are like other business communities."
Tokas said that his mother is from Village Tauru in Mewat district of Haryana and when he visits there in his luxury car, village children, all belongs to Jat community, run after the car. "Although most of the Jat families in this village were landlords but now as big chunk of their land is acquired by the government, there is a thin line difference between them and farmers," Tokas told Sunday mid-day. He remembers that his maternal uncle Jile Singh Sehrawat had purchased farming land in Rajasthan with the money he had received after his land acquiition, but now he feels that that was wrong decision as his earning is little in proportional to his investment.
Tokas said that affluent members of Jat community contribute to make the protests success, but in absence of any leader, some political parties and gunda elements intentionally turned it ugly.
Manoj Sehrawat (36): Education: Graduate from Delhi University. Profession: Delhi based Builder. Owns cars: Endeavour, Volvo, Fortuner, Innova. Worth: Crores. Participated in several protests demanding reservation for Jat Community
Manoj Sehrawat
"Our brothers who lives in interior and rural areas, need reservation. There is exception everywhere. We are talking about 97 per cent of people from Jat community, who needs reservation."
Rakesh Malik (43): Education: Graduation, BEd from Delhi University. Business: Deals in Property. Cars: Lexux, BMW. Worth: 100 cr.
Rakesh Malik
"Reservation will help in development of our community. Majority of Jats are farmers and despite hard labour they hardly able to run their families. Reservation will help them in getting jobs and so uplifting their daily life."
Rakesh Malik, who is a resident of Nangloi in outer (west) Delhi area, said that his area is dominated by Jat Community. "Members of Jat community have been protesting peacefully from last 20-day in our area demanding reservation. About 70% population in our area are farmers and they are leading a very hard life because of poverty. Reservation is need of the our for their coming generation," said Malik.
Ramkarn Hooda (63): Vice President, Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakchan Sangharsh Samiti. Owner of Shriram Global School, Rohtak. Owns fleet of luxurious vehicles. Resident of Rohtak
"Either government should amend the law and reservation should be scrapped completely or reservation should be given on the basis of economic basis only. But, if caste based reservation will continue, Jats must need reservation. These days, Jats have little land and majority of them are in bad condition in comparison to its equivalent castes including Gurjer and Yadavs, who have moved much ahead."
History of demand of reservation for Jats
Yashpal Malik, president, Akhil Bhartiya Jat Arakshan Samiti, told Sunday MiD DAY, Mandal Commission had recommended the need of reservation for Jat community, but the in 1989, then VP Singh government had omitted them. Later, Devi Lal constituted Gurnaam Singh Commission, that recommended reservation for 10 communities including Jats. But, Bhajanlal government took away reservation to Jat community. Jat community get reservation in Gujarat in 1994-95. In 1998-99, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Rajasthan government accepted the demand of Jats in Rajasthan. In 2000-01, state governments of UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh has given reservation to Jat community.
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