Jat community members block the railway tracks during their agitation for reservation in Haryana's Sonipat on Friday. (Press Trust of India photo)
The ongoing Jat stir that has paralysed parts of Haryana today spilled onto the streets of the national capital with over a thousand youths from the community taking out a protest rally from Delhi University, demanding quota in government educational institutions and jobs under OBC category.
The protesters continued their rally despite police using water cannon to push them back, and blocked the road on both sides at the GTB Nagar intersection, which threw traffic out of gear.
The protesters said that one of their members was injured during the protest, a claim that was not confirmed by the police.
The agitators comprised students from Delhi University, Indraprashta University and youths who stay in colonies around GTB Nagar, preparing for competitive examinations.
They said they were agitating in support of the members of their community from Haryana who are demanding reservation under OBC quota.
"We are only seeking our own right and not snatching anybody else's right. The community has remained socially and economically backward, and need reservation for jobs in government sector and top educational institutions," said a protester, Vikas Huda.
The protesters will continue to block the road and will not move until their demand for quota is met by the Haryana government, he added
"We were given reservation which was then removed by the present state government. Our demand is valid. We sacrifice our life as armymen and work for the country as farmers. The government should understand this," Ankush Dahiya, a DU student, said.
The rally started from near Khalsa College in the Delhi University campus and moved on towards GTB chowk, which sent the police into a tizzy as the two neighbouring areas fall under the jurisdiction of two different police districts, a senior official said.
The protesters had sought permission from the office of DCP (North) but not from DCP (North-West), for which the rally was again diverted towards the Ring Road stretch near Wazirabad.
"However, no person was detained till evening and the situation is under control now," both DCP (North) Madhur Verma and DCP (Northwest) Vijay Singh said.
The protesters blocked the Ring Road affecting traffic movement for hours. A posse of nearly 300 policemen were deployed to keep the matter under control.
"The call to protest has been given by the Akhil Bhartiya Jat Mahasabha, and we have support of students from the DU and other universities in Delhi including IP University. Several students from Haryana who stay near DU have also supported us," Akshay Lakra, an organising member, said.