New Delhi: As the Delhi Assembly elections draw near, AAP convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the BJP-led Central government of failing to honor its promise to grant reservation to the Jat community in the capital.
In a press conference, Kejriwal stated that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the inclusion of Delhi’s Jat community in the Central OBC list. He criticized the Centre for misleading the community for nearly a decade without fulfilling its commitments.
"In 2015, the BJP invited Jat leaders to the Prime Minister's residence and assured them that Delhi's Jat community would be added to the Central OBC list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated this promise in 2019. However, despite these assurances, nothing has been done," Kejriwal said.
Drawing attention to disparities, Kejriwal questioned why Jat students from Rajasthan benefit from reservations in Delhi University (DU), while Delhi's own Jat students are deprived of the same opportunities. "Thousands of children from the Jat community in Delhi are unable to secure admission to DU because they are not listed under the Central OBC category," he added.
The AAP leader further alleged that while Delhi’s Jats are recognized as OBCs within the state, the Central government has repeatedly refused to extend those benefits to them at the national level. "This is a clear betrayal," Kejriwal said. "The Centre must include Delhi's Jat community in the OBC list so they can receive reservations in central government institutions, including for jobs and college admissions."
Kejriwal emphasized that agencies like the MCD, DDA, and PWD, which have a significant presence in Delhi, could provide ample opportunities for the Jat community if they were included in the Central OBC list. He vowed to continue fighting for the community's rights until their demands are met.
With Delhi’s 70-member Assembly set to go to the polls on February 5, and results scheduled for February 8, the issue of Jat reservation is likely to be a key political talking point in the run-up to the elections.
With PTI inputs