Arvind Kejriwal demands Central OBC status for Delhi's Jat community ahead of polls

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has called for the inclusion of Delhi’s Jat community in the Centre's Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, a demand that has gained prominence ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. In a press conference on Thursday, Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Central government of failing to deliver on promises made to the Jat community, despite repeated assurances over the past decade. He described the government’s failure as a “betrayal” and emphasized the adverse impact on the community's access to educational and employment opportunities.

The issue of Jat inclusion in the Central OBC list traces back to 2015, when the BJP invited Jat leaders to the Prime Minister's residence and assured them that Delhi’s Jat community would be included in the Central OBC list. This commitment was reiterated in 2019 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, no action has been taken by the Central government to implement these promises, leaving Delhi's Jat community without the benefits extended to Jats in other parts of India.

Kejriwal raised concerns about the disparity in educational opportunities, noting that Jat students from Rajasthan benefit from reservations at Delhi University (DU), while Jat students from Delhi are excluded from the same privileges. He explained that the lack of recognition in the Central OBC list has led to thousands of children from the Jat community in Delhi being unable to secure admission to DU and other higher education institutions, which offer reservations to students from recognized OBC communities.

At the state level, Delhi’s Jat community is recognized as part of the OBC category, which allows them to avail of certain state-level benefits. However, the community’s exclusion from the Central OBC list denies them crucial advantages, including reservations in Central government jobs and educational institutions. Kejriwal called for immediate action to ensure that the community receives the same benefits as other OBC communities across the country, which would provide them with greater access to opportunities in Central government sectors such as the MCD, DDA, and PWD.

The demand for the inclusion of Delhi's Jat community in the Central OBC list has become a significant issue as the Delhi Assembly elections approach. Scheduled for February 5, 2025, the elections will determine the composition of the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly. The issue is expected to influence voter sentiment, particularly among the Jat community, which has been a key demographic in Delhi’s political landscape.