Jat quota likely with judicial support, says Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has expressed hope of a judicially acceptable way for the Jat community to get the reservation it has been demanding. The statement came even as two massive rallies of Jat organisation took place to press the reservation demand.

The ongoing Jat quota stir had in 2016 brought life to a standstill in Haryana. This had a ripple effect on connectivity and water supply in the national capital. The BJP government at the Centre and in Haryana have been grappling with the issue since.

"There is a chance that we will get reservation, and also get through the judicial scrutiny. When Gujjars and Yadavs can get reservation then why can't we," Chaudhary Birender Singh said to news agency ANI.

However, the statement seemed to do little to dampen the force of the protests. "If the Haryana government does not agree to our demands, then we will hold a protest and many will come to Delhi on tractors and trolleys for the protest," Yashpal Malik was quoted as saying on Monday morning.

On Friday, the Haryana government had suspended mobile internet services in 13 out of the 22 districts of the state. The internet ban lapsed at midnight on Sunday.

This move was aimed at maintaining law and order ahead of the two public rallies of Jat leader Yashpal Malik and BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini in Rohtak and Jind respectively. 

Section 144 of the CrPC was also imposed that limit the assembly of more than four people at a public place in Sonepat and Charkhi Dadri districts.