Amit Shah rally: Haryana BJP panics, withdraws cases; Jats refuse to budge, Congress joins protest

A day after lakhs of Jats under the leadership of All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) president Yashpal Malik threatened to disrupt BJP president Amit Shah’s planned rally in Jind, a panicked Manohar Lal Khattar government announced withdrawal of cases against 822 people.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) SS Prasad on Friday said that cases registered against 822 people accused in 70 FIRs during the 2016 Jat protests for reservations, have now been recommended for withdrawal.

However, the unimpressed Jats refused to cool down. Immediate after the Khattar government announced the withdrawal, thousands of Jats held a meeting to chalk out their future strategy. Reacting to the announcement, Malik told National Herald that they will go ahead with the planned protest. On Thursday, Malik had called the BJP ‘Betrayal Jumla Party’ and vowed that lakhs of Jats in trolleys and tractors would block the road leading to the ground where Amit Shah’s proposed rally is to take place in Jind.

“Hundreds of cases are still pending against innocent Jats. We want complete removal of the cases and also reservation for the community,” he added, while saying that BJP’s goodwill gesture in not enough to placate the angry community.

Meanwhile, adding more to Amit Shah’s troubles, Haryana Congress has announced to take part in the protest on February 15. Speaking to National Herald on the phone, President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Ashok Tanwar said that Congress will welcome Amit Shah with black flags.

“People of Haryana and this country should know what BJP did with the Jat community. No action has been taken against policemen who killed Jats. No political leader has been held responsible for the rioting and disruption. Instead, innocent people were slapped with serious charges and were put behind bars for two years. Who is responsible for that?” questioned Tanwar.

Terming withdrawal of the cases as a diversionary tactic, Tanwar blasted the Khattar government and said, “BJP wants to confuse the people of Haryana, who are up in arms against its national president. State leadership of the BJP is in panic. They will not be able to show their face to Shah if his rally gets disrupted. That is why they have announced conciliatory measures so that Amit Shah can address the rally peacefully.”

Another headache for Amit Shah has come in the form of a National Green Tribunal notice, slapped on the Centre and the Haryana government over a petition seeking a reduction in the number of motorbikes at Amit Shah’s rally. Media reports say one lakh motorcyclists are slated to greet Amit Shah at the rally.

The plea was filed by advocate Victor Dhissa who has sought screening and reduction in the number of bikes. The plea contended that instead of motorcycles, the state government should opt for bicycles or other environment friendly modes of transport for the rally. It would also be beneficial for the health of those riding bicycles, the petition read. The tribunal has sought replies from the centre and the state government by February 13.

“Direct the respondents (authorities) to either reduce the number of motorbikes proposed to be mobilised or use more environment-friendly modes and methods, such as bicycles, by foot or e-rickshaws. And constitute a committee to assess the adverse impacts that may be caused with regard to air pollution and noise pollution if the proposed rally is taken out,” the plea said.

It is also learnt that the Haryana government has written a letter to the central government seeking 150 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) ahead of Amit Shah’s visit. We tried to contact Haryana BJP for their version, but did not receive any response by the time of publishing.