Jat Agitation: Naidu-led Central Panel Likely to Meet Today to Discuss Demands

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu may today convene the first meeting of a committee set up by the Centre to look into the quota demand for the Jat community in government jobs.

NEW DELHI: Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu may today convene the first meeting of a committee set up by the Centre to look into the quota demand for the Jat community in government jobs.       

The Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, who heads the panel set up by the Centre yesterday, said all the minute aspects related to the Jat reservation issue will be looked into meticulously. "A committee has been made and I am thinking of calling the first meeting today. We will check what could the possible solution be, what decision was taken on this by the earlier government, what did the Supreme Court say on this issue, what was said in the review petition and what does the Constitution state on the (reservation) issue," Naidu told reporters here.

He also appealed to the people of Haryana, especially the Jat community, to help restore normalcy. "Politics or blame game over it will not lead us to any solution. The (state) government will look into the damages incurred due to violence... Whenever the situation cools down, we can all sit down to discuss a possible solution," he said.           

Yielding to pressure from agitating Jats, BJP had last night announced setting up of a committee under Naidu to examine the quota demand for the community in government jobs. Apart from disruption of vital road connectivity in Haryana, the violent agitation, which has so far claimed lives of 12 people, also affected water supply to the national capital. Addressing an event earlier in the day, Naidu said aspirations are very high in the country.            

On the JNU row and Jat reservation issue, he said, "We are working on it and we are trying to identify every issue and address every issue to the extent possible." He said, "Every sector, section, everybody is saying you do this, you do that, this has not happened, that has not happened. And what has not happened so far, nobody is talking about it."    

"Now everybody is saying this should happen. This reservation should happen, Jat reservation should happen. And there are opposing forces which are trying to divert the attention of the government and the people from the major issues...," he said at the event organised by the Cement Manufacturers Association. The minister said the government is trying to address all the issues and is working towards resolving them.        

"Unfortunately, some people are carrying out a campaign saying as if India has become intolerant. India is the only country in the world that is more tolerant. I want to appeal to all of you to please understand the situation in the country and cooperate with the government," Naidu added.

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