Jaipur- With the looming specter of the Lok Sabha elections and Rajasthan's 25 parliamentary seats poised for polling, Eastern Rajasthan, particularly Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, and Alwar, is gearing up for the first phase on April 19th. With a mere 18 days remaining until the polls, the Jat community has intensified its campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Eastern Rajasthan with 'Operation Gangajal'.
The BJP faces a growing challenge in Bharatpur, where the Jat community's discontent threatens to impact electoral outcomes. Bharatpur Lok Sabha constituency holds significant political importance, particularly as it is the hometown of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. With the Jat community comprising a substantial voter base in the region, their stance holds considerable sway over electoral fortunes.
The Jat community's grievances stem from their perceived neglect by the BJP government, especially regarding their demands for OBC reservation at the national level. This discontent found expression during the Mahapadav movement in Jaicholi village, in January this year, where Jat community members, holding Ganga water in hand, swore a solemn oath: "No reservation, no votes." This sentiment has galvanized the community, with grassroots efforts underway to mobilize support against BJP.
A pivotal meeting of the Bharatpur-Dholpur Jat Reservation Struggle Committee held in the mid of March , saw active participation from Panch Patels representing various assemblies.
During this crucial gathering, the Jat community resolutely resolved to thwart the BJP's electoral ambitions.
Nem Singh, who leads the Bharatpur-Dholpur Jat Reservation Sangharsh Committee, spoke about the meeting. He mentioned that they protested for 40 days, demanding reservation for Jats at the national level. However, they feel betrayed by the government's lack of action. Representatives from all eight assembly seats of Bharatpur Lok Sabha, as well as from various castes, attended the meeting. Singh highlighted their plan to expand their campaign to Karauli-Dholpur and Alwar Lok Sabha seats to challenge the BJP's dominance in all three constituencies.
To this end, the community has mobilized a district-level committee comprising 300 dedicated members, alongside establishing 11-member committees at every Panchayat headquarters.
Tasked with a relentless mission, these committees are set to engage in door-to-door canvassing across every village, working tirelessly to sway the tide against the BJP.
There are two Jat BJP MLAs from Bharatpur district who were not appointed as ministers. Additionally, in Rajasthan, the BJP government is allegedly targeting Jat officers through transfers. The BJP government's actions, including firing on Jats in Haryana and alleged mistreatment of farmers under BJP rule, have also led to dissatisfaction with the party.
Operation Gangajal is a campaign where members of the Jat Reservation Struggle Committee visit every village and household. They ask everyone to swear on the Ganga water in their hands, pledging not to vote for the BJP. This campaign aims to highlight that the BJP government did not grant central reservation to the Jats of Bharatpur-Dholpur districts, but instead deceived them. Therefore, the community is urged to vote against the BJP.
Across villages, the Jat community is engaging in grassroots activism, urging residents to reject BJP at the polls. Panchayat-level meetings witness participants taking vows with Ganga Jal (water) , symbolizing their resolve to oppose the ruling party.
Furthermore, a coordinated campaign, including the distribution of posters and the organization of large-scale gatherings, amplifies the community's discontent.
The origin of this opposition lies in the perceived betrayal by BJP leaders, who, during the Mahapadav movement, pledged to address the community's demands for reservation promptly. However, with no tangible progress on this front, the Jat community accuses the BJP of reneging on its promises, branding the campaign "Operation Gangajal."
The Jat Reservation Sangharsh Samiti spearheads this grassroots movement, mobilizing support across Bharatpur and adjoining districts. Through relentless outreach efforts, the community aims to consolidate its stance against BJP, emphasizing the imperative of securing OBC reservation before the elections.
The Sangharsh Samiti has undertaken extensive preparations to mount opposition against the BJP. With meticulous planning, they have printed approximately 50,000 large posters bearing a resounding message: "Jats have been cheated by BJP in the name of reservation. This time BJP has to be defeated by the power of votes."
In addition to the posters highlighting BJP's alleged deception on reservation issues, there is a concerted effort to mobilize dissent against the Jat community itself. These posters, accusing the Jat community of deception regarding reservation matters, are being disseminated across every village.
Moreover, prominent leaders within the Jat community are orchestrating large-scale Panchayat gatherings, where members are taking solemn oaths with Ganga water in hand, pledging to oust BJP from power.
Furthermore, the Jat community is strategizing to launch a Rath campaign, intending to traverse every village with a clear message: the imperative of defeating BJP in the upcoming elections. Through this mobile campaign, the community aims to galvanize support and amplify their collective voice against the ruling party.
In response to the community's fervent mobilization, the Congress candidate, Sanjana Jatav, attended a Mahapanchayat in Kumha village, affirming solidarity with the Jat community's cause. The event witnessed a groundswell of support, with community members vowing to uphold their oath against BJP.
As tensions simmer and electoral fervor mounts, the BJP finds itself confronting a formidable challenge from the resolute Jat community. With Operation Gangajal gaining momentum, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bharatpur promise to be a pivotal moment, with the Jat community asserting its electoral clout in pursuit of its demands.
The demand for reservation for Jats in the central government has persisted since 1998, particularly in Bharatpur and Dholpur districts. In 2013, the Manmohan Singh government extended OBC reservation to Jats and nine other states. However, owing to a Supreme Court order, the reservation for Jats in both Bharatpur and Dholpur, both at the central and state levels, was abruptly discontinued in August 2015.
After a protracted struggle, on August 23, 2017, the erstwhile Vasundhara government reinstated OBC reservation for Jats in both districts. Nevertheless, the central government has regrettably failed to implement this crucial reservation.
In September 2021, amid the Jat community's announcement of a chakka jam, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took a decisive step by writing a recommendation letter to the central government on December 28, 2021, advocating OBC reservation for Jats in both districts. Despite earnest meetings with central government ministers, the long-sought reservation remains elusive.
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