Day 345

Toll 659

Haryana

BJP-JJP might have won elections in Haryana but right now they are extremely unpopular on the ground. Their self-respect, if any, is in their own hands. Yet, they continue to invite humiliation.

On Diwali day, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala wanted to visit his party office in Jind. The administration set up 3 layers of police cordon and deployed 800 police personnel. Yet, irate farmers including a large number of women farmers held their black flag protest. Chautala was forced to cancel his visit. The 2-hour tense stand-off ended only after Dushyant Chautala left without being able to come to his office.

A few days back, Rajya Sabha BJP MP from Haryana Ram Chander Jangra called protestors ‘jobless alcoholics and drunkards’. On Diwali, when he came to take part in a Diwali event in a Gowshala in Meham, he faced a black flag protest on Meham-Julana Road. Jangra and associates had to reach the venue in an unidentifiable vehicle to avoid the wrath of the local farmers.

Yesterday, farmers assembled in Narnaund and at Mayyad Toll Plaza to protest against Jangra. In the ensuing lathi charge by police, 7 farmers were injured. The condition of one of the farmers Kuldeep Singh Rana in Jindal Hospital ICU is critical. The farmers gheraoed Narnaund Police Station in Hisar district demanding arrested protestors be released unconditionally. The stand off ended when farmers were released.

Yesterday, the PM went to Kedarnath. The event was being relayed live on TV. BJP leaders in Haryana decided to view the visit at a temple in Kiloi village of Rohtak district. Protesting farmers gheraoed these leaders. Stand off ended last night with farmers releasing the leaders.

BJP-JJP needs to realise the farmers will not relent. It is better if they stop provoking the farmers and actually conduct a dialogue as their state CM Khattar has suddenly started advocating.