ROHTAK: Effigies of BJP leaders, including those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, were burnt in Rohtak and adjoining districts, by Jat protesters, who also observed a 'Black Holi'. The move came as part of their ongoing dharnas to press for their demands, including reservation and withdrawal of cases against the community youths in connection with last year's agitation.
Upset with the national party's clean sweep in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the All India Jat Aarakshan Samiti president Yashpal Malik, a UP-local, said the party polarised the electorate on communal lines and secured the Jat votes as well. Addressing protesters at Jassia village, Rohtak, Malik said, "However, we will not be disappointed. It's because of our movement that BJP President Amit Shah had to repeatedly say in his election rallies in UP that they are with the Jat community. Our protest made them nervous and they had to hold meetings with local Jat leaders to win their confidence. PM Modi also had to invoke former Prime Minister and Jat leader Charan Singh's name in his speech during an election rally to woo farmers and the Jat community."
He said it was now BJP's turn to support the Jat community and accept its demands after the party's exceptional victory. "The BJP has won in UP and the Captain is being arrogant in Haryana. He should resign and contest the elections again to see where he stands," he spoke about finance minister Captain Abhimanyu's criticism of him. He said Jat protesters would go ahead with their proposed ‘Delhi March’ on March 20 and their plan to gherao Parliament. “The government has a few days to agree to our demands if it wants us to end our agitation.”
