Welcoming the UPA Government’s decision to give reservation to Jats in OBC category, former Minister and Jat leader Manjit Singh today appealed that the neglected Jat community of Jammu and Kashmir also needs reservation for their upliftment.“Jat in J&K, are politically, socially and economically are backward and there is a need to take steps for their welfare and upliftment by giving them reservation as backward class in OBC,” Singh demanded, while issuing a statement here.Hailing decision of Union Cabinet which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Jat leader said that the UPA Government has taken a historic step by given them OBC status but they should also include J&K as they have done with nine other States.Here the Jat community has been the victim of three wars with Pakistan and their children have been living a life under miserable conditions which needs to be improved by giving them OBC status in J&K also.He, while highlighting sufferings of the community, said in other States the community is landlords and they are economically well. However, in State their condition is not good.
He further appealed AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Rahul Gandhi, PM Manmohan Singh, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and JKPCC Chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz to give OBC status to Jats of J&K.He said that the Government should accept this genuine demand of the community as they have suffered from decades and do not force them to launch agitation for their rights.Meanwhile, Manjit Singh, who is prominent Jat leader in J&K, met Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and discussed various issues.During his meeting with Soz, Singh appealed him for OBC status for Jats in Jammu and Kashmir as well as outside the State.Soz after listening to his demands assured that he would take up issue with the Government and at the appropriate level, showing a positive sign that the demand would be accepted in coming days.