Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 4: The J&K Jatt Sabha today appealed to the Government of India to extend the benefit of Other Backward Class (OBC) status to the Jatts of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, citing their historic contribution to national security and persistent socio-economic challenges.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Sabha at Sanji Morh, Banyari in Hiranagar sub-division of Kathua district, former minister and president of J&K Jatt Sabha, Manjit Singh said, “Jatts have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army, both in uniform and as civilian guardians of the Jammu border. The community has made immense sacrifices, recalling that their ancestors fought through wars in 1947-48, 1965 and 1971, leading to the displacement of hundreds of families. These displaced families were allotted mostly barren and infertile land in border areas, which they gradually turned into fertile agricultural land through decades of hard work.”
Singh demanded that Jatts be provided OBC benefits in government employment, defence and paramilitary services and professional and educational institutions across the country.
He also raised concern over denial of compensation to landholders when allotted land is acquired for defence or development projects, alleging that compensation is often granted to Government departments instead of actual landholders.
“The Government must ensure that whenever land allotted to Jatts, displaced persons or refugees is acquired, compensation is paid directly to the landholders,” he said, adding that several one-time settlement cases related to compensation remain unresolved.
Warning of agitation, Singh said that if the genuine issues of the Jatt community are not addressed, they will be forced to come out on the roads.
Former MP Tarlok Singh Bajwa highlighted the alarming rise in drug addiction and its adverse impact on society, particularly on the youth, including Jatt youths.
He called upon civil society members, police and affected families to work collectively to combat the menace of drugs.
Former ministers Choudhary Sukhnandan and Choudhary Garu Ram, MLA Vikram Randhawa and DDC member Taranjit Singh Tony also addressed the meeting, raising various issues faced by the community.
Among others who attended the event included former corporator and district president Jammu Urban Dwarka Choudhary, district president Jammu Rural Manjit Jatt, district president Samba Bachan Choudhary, Choudhary Jarnail Singh, Choudhary Partap, Kamal Choudhary, Harbans Choudhary and others.
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