Though the Jat agitation in Haryana has been postponed for some time the simmering fire cannot be taken lightly as it can lead to mayhem once again. Earlier, what Haryana saw was just a systematic plundering by one particular community under the garb of fight for getting reservations in government jobs within the state. How come by burning schools, looting and damaging private business establishments the people who have been on plundering spree were expecting to get reservations in government jobs? The answer defies all logic. Today the state may be limping back to normalcy the scars of sectarian rioting will continue to be engraved in the memory of the people. This could be the second 1947 for some of them who chose to stay in the united Punjab after the partition of India. Time has come to take a holistic view of the situation and find a permanent lasting solution above the political gains and considerations that can be on the basis of economic criteria irrespective of caste or the community they belong to. This does not mean the economic criteria is the only yard stick for reservation as the social and caste backwardness cannot be ruled out. The present BJP government has ‘totally failed’ to control the agitation, thus causing huge loss to life and property. The way the agitation has been orchestrated by the elements, who may not be getting a speck of the benefits of reservation, it looks quota row is turning into Jat versus others in Haryana and who knows the agitation may spread to other states or other communities too agitating on the same pattern for quota in jobs seeing the Jat agitation. On the other side OBCs argue that Jats have a solid share of government jobs, land holdings, business and if given backward status they would gain at the cost of others. While the agitation touched fault-lines the scar left by it would continue to haunt the people irrespective of caste and community. Notably, Rohtak was the epicentre of violence during Jat quota stir that rocked Haryana last month claiming 30 lives.
