Jat, seriously? Sahib pats Maya

Addressing the convention, Sompal, Chairman, National Agriculture Commission, talked of Jats not just as a caste but a way of life, culture and thinking. In fact, the international connections extended from Central Asia to Varanasi in India, he said. ‘‘We are pure Aryans and there is enough recorded history to prove this,’’ Sompal added. To stress on the ‘‘integration among Jats’’, this time the organisers approached some of the prominent names from among the 1.65 lakh Jats from Pakistan. Aitzaz Ahsan, former Home Minister of Pakistan and Pervez Illahi, chief minister of Punjab (Pakistan) had confirmed their participation but failed to turn up.

But there was a Karachi businessman, Haji Muhammad Jafar, at the conference.

Among others who attended, were US-based builder R.S. Arya, US-based engineer Harsh Kumar and educationist Ghasi Ram from the US. Their patron and former DGP, Gyan Prakash Pilania from Jaipur, also spoke on the occasion.

‘‘Nearly 60 per cent of the soldiers martyred in Kargil were Jats, but we have not got recognition,’’ said Verma. A resolution was also passed which said that dowry was not to be given or taken and female infanticide should be brought to an end.