Jats resent govt’s ‘bargaining mode’

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21

A trust deficit seems to be ailing government-protester talks with Jats resentful of the “bargaining mode” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the latter perturbed by the “shifting goalposts” of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS).

After two rounds of “inconclusive” talks in Panipat and despite the announcement of a four-member committee and enhancement of compensation to the injured, the issue seems stuck on the “dropping of police cases”.

Yesterday, at the meeting held in three rounds, a section of the protesters, in talks with the committee, nearly walked out of the talks, only to be mollified on the issue of the committee repeatedly “back-tracking” on the demands.

However, sources in the government said the AIJASS seemed intent on continuing its dharnas and was “repeatedly changing the goalposts”.

“They initially wanted dropping of cases registered last year. We explained that most of these had been closed and those in court could not be withdrawn at this stage. Now, they want cases registered for last year’s rioting being investigated by the CBI and during the previous Congress regime dropped because we are keen on a solution,” government sources said.

Jat protesters have their own set of grievances against the committee with their leaders maintaining that the government is trying to strike a bargain and give as little as possible.

Hisar’s Krishan Kirmara, who nearly walked out of the talks, said, “We are clear that all cases have to be dropped. At the first meeting, the committee was in a reconciliatory mode and willing to take a relook.”

“At yesterday’s meeting, they backed out and began singing a different tune, which is when we objected. AIJASS leader Yashpal Malik is our leader, but we have every right to raise issues independently since it is our children who are in jail,” he said.

“The government agreed to a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 to various categories of the injured. When the announcement came, they conveniently halved it. Can we trust this government? It agrees to one thing and announces another. We put our foot down to get the amount enhanced from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh,” said AIJASS leader Azad Lathwal of Sonepat.

On the issue of permanent government jobs to kin of the deceased, these leaders maintained that the committee members expressed ignorance. “They told us that yesterday was the first time they heard that we wanted permanent government jobs and we were shocked,” he added.

While Malik seconded this assertion, he saidthe committee’s emphasis was on wrapping up dharnas, which was unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the sources said the government was proceeding with great caution since it was not sure if accepting the demands of protesters would result in lifting of the dharnas.

“This was evident in yesterday’s meeting, where Jats seemed divided on the fate of police cases. The government has to weigh the outcome before accepting whatever is reasonable,” the sources claimed. Backdoor talks continue to find a middle path before the next meeting.