New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has made a significant demand regarding the inclusion of Delhis Jat community in the Central Governments Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. During a press conference held on Thursday, Kejriwal criticized the central government for what he termed as a decade-long deception towards the Jat community, alleging that promises made to them have not been fulfilled.Unfulfilled Promises to the Jat CommunityKejriwal highlighted that in 2015, leaders from the Jat community were invited to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they were assured that their community would be included in the OBC list. He further stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated this promise in 2019. “However, nothing has been done to fulfil these promises,” Kejriwal remarked, media reports say.Disparities in Educational OpportunitiesThe AAP leader raised concerns about educational inequities faced by Jat students in Delhi. He pointed out that while Jat students from Rajasthan benefit from reservations at Delhi University (DU), those from Delhi are left without similar support. “Thousands of children from the Jat community in Delhi are unable to secure admission in DU because they are not part of the Central OBC list,” he explained.Despite recognition of Delhis Jats under the OBC category at the state level, Kejriwal accused the central government of withholding benefits. He described this situation as a betrayal and insisted that including Delhis Jat community in the OBC list is crucial for their access to reservations in government institutions, including jobs and college admissions.Economic Opportunities Awaiting InclusionKejriwal emphasized that integrating Jats into the OBC list would unlock significant opportunities for them, particularly with central agencies like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and Public Works Department (PWD) operating extensively in the region.BJPs Response to Kejriwals ClaimsIn response to Kejriwals accusations, BJP leader Kailash Gahlot questioned his sudden concern for the Jat community after years of neglect. “I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal, why he is suddenly worried about Jats He did not care about them in the last 10 years... Now when he is about to lose the election against a Jat, he is remembering them,” Gahlot stated.As the political landscape heats up ahead of the upcoming elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8, this issue is likely to remain at the forefront of political discourse.
