The protest by "JATS" in Haryana...

Who are the Jats, and what are they demanding? Jats are an agricultural caste group in Haryana, and seven other states in North India, notably Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In Haryana, they are the predominant caste, and therefore politically influential.

When did the demand begin? Discontent boiled over after the 1991 Gurnam Singh Commission report included Jats in the Backward Classes category along with seven other groups, and after the Bhajan Lal government withdrew the notification that had been issued for inclusion. Two more Backward Classes Commissions set up in the state excluded the group – in 1995 and 2011. Reservation for Jats was one of the poll promises made by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who came to power in 2004; he subsequently wrote several letters to the Union government seeking their inclusion of Jats. After an agitation, in April 2011, the government set up the K C Gupta Commission to go into the question once again. In 2012, the commission recommended the inclusion of Jats and four other castes, Jat Sikhs, Ror, Tyagi and Bishnoi, in the category Special Backward Classes (SBC). The Hooda government accepted the report and 10% quota was granted, but this was later set aside by the Supreme Court.

What are the legal issues involved in granting reservation to Jats? What is the policy in neighboring states? On March 17, 2015, the Supreme Court quashed the UPA government’s decision to extend the OBC quota in central government jobs to Jats, refusing to accept that Jats were a backward community. Consequently, the reservation introduced for Jats in Haryana and eight other states — Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand — was set aside. In April 2015, the NDA government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the March 17 verdict.

Where do the Jats stand in Haryana’s political hierarchy? Since being carved out of Punjab in 1966, Haryana state has had 10 chief ministers, and seven have been Jats. Jats comprise 27% of the electorate, and are the state’s predominant caste group, who dominate a third of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the state. The leaders of the two main opposition political parties — Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress and Abhay Singh Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal — are Jats. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar represents the Punjabi community, and belongs to the Khattar caste.

What has this agitation, which is turning into violent protests lead to?

• More than 700 trains have been diverted/cancelled due to this stir
• Himachal Roadways had suspended all bus services on routes passing through Haryana in view of the Jat agitation
• Thousands of trucks carrying essential supplies and goods were stranded in the affected districts as highways and roads were blocked.
• Delhi government has ordered all private and govt schools in the capital to remain closed on Monday in the wake of water crisis due to Jat quota protests in Haryana
• Chaos reigned in Haryana on Saturday with escalated violence in several areas as hooligans, who have joined ranks of Jat protestors, ran amok, setting afire government and private property and vehicles, blocking roads and highways, disrupting trains and uprooting tracks and indulging in looting Protesters burnt cars, police jeeps and trucks, blocked traffic, tried to torch properties of state finance minister Captain Abhimanyu and BJP MLA Manish Kumar Grover and also wrecked the Agro Mall building in Rohtak district, according to reports
• Ticket counter of Basai Railway Station in Haryana set on fire by Jat reservation agitators on Sunday morning (21-02-2016)
• Five persons were killed and 20 others were injured in separate incidents in the city today. Two persons were killed and 20 others were injured when an unruly mob attacked residents of Chhawani Mohalla here. The attackers set several houses on fire in the colony and also damaged many houses in the Beri Gate locality
• Haryana has suffered a loss of around Rs 20,000 crore on account of burning and destroying of public and private property due to one going Jat stir, said industry body Assocham

Now, the question is what have we got?

• Loss of Thousands of Crores of public & private property
• Life of more than 10 persons
• Inconvenience to thousands of passengers
• Loss of studies for Delhi school students (even if it is for one day only)

Now not being rude or unsympathetic towards the jat community, but do they really believe that their demands are worth this much loss (and may be more if we account for past and possible future happenings.) Are we so scared to compete with others that we need reservation for ourselves. Yes, it hurts when someone gets a job with 50-55% marks and we lag behind even with 80% marks. But, we are competing with the best (those who have got above 80) while they (in reserved category) are competing with the mediocre. And the reservation is only in govt jobs, not private ones (so far). Why the hell are we scared to work in a private company, when we want our children to go in private schools and get the best treatment in private hospitals?

 Yes, it is a fair demand that reservation shall not be available to anyone based on caste etc. (it violates the right to equality). But have we become so weak and broken that we are ready to be called backwards rather than compete from the front?

And even if nothing above is acceptable, still what is violence going to fetch us? If we burn a railway station, we only will complain later that our area doesn’t have a proper railway station. Damaging the public & private properties is not in the interest of anyone. Blocking the water supply (water is a basic necessity) is not at all justifiable by any means. Hurting someone that leads to someone’s death is not at all justifiable. Not for a demand to downgrade ourselves at least (Yes, being included in the backward class means we are getting downgraded in the so called caste system)

So, it’s a humble request that even if we want to stage protests for any demand from the govt. it shall be peaceful and constructive rather than destroying our nation’s property. 

1st Anniversary of AAP govt...

So, Finally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did actually complete its one year at Delhi's legislative assembly with almost all seats occupied by their MLAs. During this tenure of 1 year, AAP had gained a few supporters while losing a few. But the question is what has AAM AADMI (the citizens of Delhi and not the AAP MLAs and party workers) gained. 

Since AAP had got a majority (67 of 70) seats which shows that the citizens of Delhi had put their faith in AAP, it would be better to point out their claimed achievements and visible good work/efforts first. Talking of the claims, like any other political party, AAP has a BIG LIST of its presumed achievements (Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/live-arvind-kejriwals-government-completes-one-year-in-delhi/1/595512.html):

• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills.
• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. 
• We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit.
• The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved.
• Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education.
• There will be mohalla clinics in each locality. Free x-ray, surgery and medicines will be available free of charge at all government hospitals.
• We will not allow quota admissions in Delhi schools.
• The government will inaugurate 20 Aam Aadmi polyclinics. 
• The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is working on it.
• Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education.
• 8000 new classroom in government schools till july 2016, 45 new schools are being constructed.
• 100 new schools will be built this year.
• We want our government hospitals better than the private ones.
• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills. Today only two states in India have cheaper electricity than Delhi.
• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. For A and B categories - 25 per cent, C - 50 per cent, and D - 75 per cent. of pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off.
• We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit. 
• We stand firm on our commitment for cheap water. We have been working on this. 
• Electricity and water bills are in complete disarray.
• I am disappointed that some people are still using water tankers because it's free.
• Delhi Jal Board(DJB) revenue increased Rs 176 crores after giving 20,000 litre water free.
• Areas where pipeline has reached won't get water tankers.

 Now the question comes that:

• Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off (AAP) 

Is AAP setting a good example by supporting the defaulters who don't pay due amount to the govt. This waiver means additional burden of Delhi's limited income sources (which include tax-payer's money). Why an honest tax-payer is being punished in favor of a defaulter citizen, who needs to be punished (in the form of fine/legal actions etc) Such a step will only encourage the existing defaulters to continue non-payment of bills and even encourage others to go for non-payments. All just for the sake of votes? Where's the benefit to the society as a whole in such a politically motivated step?

• We will not allow quota admissions in Delhi schools.

This can be highly debatable issue. While those who were expecting to reap benefits of such quota will oppose this, but the question is that is this really a bad move. This is something that may be in the good interests of the society. All shall have equal opportunity to study in the best educational institutes (if they can afford the fees). Why shall a educational trust have discretion over whom to permit in their school. After all, schools are not meant to be business, do they? How can a school decide that the child of a vegetarian parents will be more suitable for their institute or that a govt employee's child shall be preferred. Such arbitrary criteria set by various schools are clearly against the right to equality, aren't they?

• 100 new schools will be built this year.

100 new schools in one year they say. A good thought at the first look. But the need is not only the quantity of education, but quality of education. The conditions of most govt. schools is well known to all. Hardly any minister/IAS/businessman/upper-middle class citizen even thinks of sending their children to govt. schools. WHY? the answer in one word is: QUALITY. And adding even 100 new private schools is hardly going to be of much help, if quality of our basic education is not improved. And secondly, it is well known fact that a school can't be constructed in a day or two. Have the approvals been initiated by the govt. Are the lands for these schools identified / allocated to concerned trusts for infrastructure development. Simply saying that 100 schools will be built won't help anyone.

• One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills.

The govt's initiative to audit the accounts of distribution companies is a welcome step. Why these DISCOMS are against the audit? What are they hiding that they are afraid to reveal. And if such an audit leads to decision that can bring down electricity costs and hence the power tariff (without subsidies), it shall only be welcomed by common man and citizens of Delhi.

So, like any person or an organization, AAP has got certain plus and some minus. This post had only taken into consideration the promises of AAP govt and their implications. AAP has formed a govt in the state in its first attempt itself and got a clear majority in second attempt itself. But they need to realize that the treasury of govt is not for someone to use for their own political gains. It is meant for social development works and subsidies in any form (except to poor man) is only going to hammer the growth of the state in the longer run. Still certain bold and positive initiatives have been taken by AAP, which if implemented can really bring a change in otherwise boring and corrupt politics and society.

* The views expressed here are based on personal experience, and are based on what can be seen and heard of while residing in NCR. These are not meant to hurt anyone's sentiments and feelings.