How could ML Khattar let Jats hold Haryana to ransom?
It would not be fair to view the Jat quota agitation in Harayana in isolation. We need to understand that this is part of a larger agrarian crisis. The rates of unemployment, underemployment and educational level in Haryana, which is dominated by the Jats, have increased drastically in the last few decades. Social upliftment has run up a dead end. Of course, this has affected not only Jats alone but also prominent castes like Gujjars in this state.
What was most disturbing about the events that unfolded in the state in the past few days was not just the violence or normal life coming to a standstill, but how it deeply divided the state on caste lines.
Though Jats are in majority in the state, a sizeable number of Punjabis, Banias and others have been living here for a very long time. We are now sitting on top of an active volcano. No state or country can afford to be so deeply divided.
I would blame a section of the politicians for making deeply insensitive remarks and not understanding that the situation had all the ingredients of turning extremely violent. During the protests, we witnessed that the state administration was woefully cut off from the situation unfolding on the ground.
The need of the hour were efficient officers who could act as mediators, speak to the people and pacify them. As far as the intelligence wing of the state is concerned, the less said the better.
A community blackmailing the state, by being violent, into acceding to its demands can never be justified.
In this case, a sensitive matter like reservations warranted elaborate debate and discussion with all parties involved. This is bound to set a bad precedent and result in a broader pattern. Does this not have the potential to incite Patels in Gujarat again?
(As told to Sukant Deepak.)