[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Above: File photo of the violent Jat Andolan that hit Haryana in 2016. Photo credit: PTI.

Haryana is once again on the brink of violent clashes as rival factions of the state’s politically dominant Jat community have threatened agitations that could lead to disruption of law and order, which the state has repeatedly witnessed over the past few years.

Late on Friday evening, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet services in 13 districts for three days, apprehending law and order problem in view of two public rallies by a Jat body and ruling BJP’s controversial Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini, on November 26.

While Raj Kumar Saini has announced a “Samanta Maha Sammelan” to be held in Jind on November 26 to oppose demands by a section of the state’s electorally influentially Jat community for reservations in government jobs, the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) national president Yashpal Malik has also announced a rally in Rohtak district’s Jassia to oppose Saini’s campaign.

However, a rival faction of the Jat community has taken to protests opposing Yashpal Malik’s move. On Friday, heavy security forces, including the rapid action force (RAF) of Haryana Police, had to be deployed to avoid clash in Jassia after the Sarpanch Association and a group of Jat youths – many of whom are currently out on bail – sat on a dharna at the venue of Malik’s proposed rally insisting they will not let the AIJASS agitation take place.

The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government has been forced to suspend internet services on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the districts of Jind, Hansi, Bhiwani, Hisar, Fatehabad, Karnal, Panipat, Kaithal, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri until the midnight of November 26.

The order to suspend internet services – issued by the state’s additional chief secretary (home) – also said there was a likelihood of tension, danger to human life and property, disturbance of public peace and tranquility in Haryana by protestors and anti-social elements during the two public rallies that are scheduled for Sunday.

On Friday, a group of Jats who were opposing Saini’s rally in Jind clashed with the police and blocked the Jind-Chandigarh National Highway in Jind. The police was forced to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters.

Jat leader Sandeep Bhartihas alleged that Saini is known for his anti-Jat rants and for spreading communal hatred by making inflammatory and derogatory statements against the community.

However, the demand for reservations and call for massive protests by Malik has not been received well within his own Jat community.

In Jassia, youth who were jailed in connection with the Jat agitation of 2016, and are currently out on bail, opposed Malik’s call for an agitation demanding reservations for the community. “Yashpal Malik has collected crores of rupees in our name but has done nothing for us. Our prime demand of withdrawal of cases against us has not been met by the (Haryana) government, so why these rallies for education institutes?” said Rahul Dadu, one of the agitating Jat youths in Jassia. Dadu, like several other Jat youths, was jailed in the aftermath of last year’s violent Jat agitations that rocked Haryana and is currently out on bail.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Jat Mahasabha has asked the state government to take legal action against Malik and BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini for vitiating atmosphere in the state.

-With Agency inputs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]