Jat stir: Khattar meets Shah, assures to maintain peace in Haryana

Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan, a Jat leader from western UP roped in by the party to hold talks with community leaders, insisted that the state government was doing everything possible to restore the Jat quota, which has been stayed by Punjab and Haryana high court, and would fight the case.

Khattar, accompanied by senior BJP leader Anil Jain and Balyan, met Shah. “Talks are on. We will not allow peace to be disturbed,” Khattar said.

At least 30 people were killed and property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was destroyed during the violent quota agitation by Jats in February this year.

Buckling under pressure, the state government passed a law to provide reservation to Jats and five other communities under a newly carved Backward Classes (C) category but the High Court stayed it. Jats have carried out fresh protests ever since.

Jain said the state government was fully-prepared to meet any eventuality and tried to play down the issue, saying it should not be hyped.