Chandigarh, Jan 22- Former Haryana Minister and senior Congress Leader, Prof. Sampat Singh has appealed to the representatives of all Khaps in Haryana to withdraw the ongoing agitation on Mirchpur issue in the larger interest of the society and the nation.
In a statement issued here today, Prof. Sampat Singh said that some anti-social elements and those having vested interest in politics have joined this otherwise peaceful agitation as a result of which this agitation has lost its basic objective. He cautioned in case this agitation turned violent because of these elements, its ill-effects would be beyond imagination.
While reminding the Khaps of their glorious past, he pointed out that these should function with a same spirit and ideals. He said that whenever any agitation turns violent, its results have always been serious and such agitations conclude without yielding any result. Also, such situations bring ill-name to the agitators that becomes unbearable for future generations.
Prof. Sampat Singh said that Khaps have always made supreme sacrifices for the sake of the State and the society. History of the country is witnessed to the fact that Khaps have, in North India, especially in the radius of 100 kosa from Delhi, given befitting reply to the Mughals and the British who had attacked the country. Khaps have always kept interests of the country in high esteem without caring for their own lives and always fought against slavery, injustice, inequality and atrocities. These Khaps and other social organizations have played a major role in the freedom struggle of the country. In the past, all agitations have been launched in a peaceful manner and without any violence. Khaps have always been secular and have worked for all sections of the society. As a result of it, these Khaps have always been kept in high esteem in the society. Khaps have undertaken even such jobs, which neither the government nor the courts of law could do. Some of the social decisions taken by Khaps have been later transformed into legislations. Even today, the independent India has such villages where people do not visit police station or tehsil office to get their disputes redressed because the decisions are taken at the village level by these Khaps.
He said that these Khaps have also played a major role in eradication of social evils and also played a leading role in ‘Hindi Andolan’ and ‘Gau Raksha Andolan’. These Khaps have also played a significant role in eliminating enmity which had been generation after generation and they created a feeling of brotherhood. Whenever China and Pakistan attacked India the Jawans associated with these Khaps gave a befitting reply to the enemy. These Khaps had also made a significant contribution in ushering in white revolution, green revolution and the economy of the country. These Khaps have played a major role in all the political, economic, social, religious and educational transformations. Although, these Khaps have generally been led by Jats, yet they have worked in close coordination with other members of the communities.
He pointed out that some people were indulged in politics of Jats and non Jats and such elements tried to make best out of the situation to grind their own axe. They have nothing to do with the loss of a particular community and it was evident from the aftermath of Mandal Commission and Maiyyar. Such people aimed at dividing the society. They do not bother about their community and religion, but are concerned about political gains.
He said that it was a fact that all that happened in Mirchpur was unfortunate and sad incident which has been condemned by everybody. It was a dispute between some people and not a dispute between two communities. He said that some selfish people described it as a rift between the communities to malign the image of Jats saying that atrocities have been committed against the members belonging to Scheduled Castes thus making both communities to suffer. Today, there is no rift between the Jats and members belonging to Scheduled Castes and members belonging to different communities are living together in the village. Some selfish elements have refused to accept their decision taken by the committee of the Khaps and the government. All the justified demands put up by the committee before the government were accepted. He said that after the resignation of the committee, it did not remain an agitation and was handled by some political and anti-social elements as a result of which our people had to spend night in hunger and cold weather on the railway track during last week.
He said that it would be in interest of Khaps, especially Jats to withdraw the agitation and help in restoration of normal life. He said that the Haryana Government had been trying to ensure social justice to all.
I want to request khapto bring peace and harmony in haryana, bring proud to the haryana.India is a democratic country. People have right to take decisions about their life and especially choose their life partner. Please dont bring shame to JATS by making it a mockery in front of the country by restricting people by their home made laws.
Please let people live.
Dont make us feel that being JATS is a punishment.
Why are you suffocating our own people by not letting them take their decisions.
Rather Khap panchayat should promote same gotra marriages and thus take a stepahead with new generation.