Haryana govt to toughen stance, won’t allow ‘violence in name of protest’: CM Manohar Lal Khattar

WHILE the recent lathicharge on farmers by police in Karnal, leaving several injured, may have put Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on the backfoot, sources said a choice had been taken by the government to act tough on protesters just in case of any violence.

For months now, leaders of the ruling BJP and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) are virtually unable to seem among the general public or hold any official or party-level functions without farmers protesting. On several occasions, the leaders have had to cancel their visits to avoid any clash.

Official sources said the govt “was in no mood to tolerate any longer violence within the garb of protests”, and can use force if farmers “exceed their limit” and obstruct BJP or JJP leaders, or disrupt any official or public function attended by them. The change of strategy comes before the approaching panchayat polls, with the 2 ruling parties worried about not having the ability to deal with public meetings or to campaign.

A hint of the Khattar government’s resolve was evident within the CM’s statement Monday on the August 28 lathicharge. “Agar main ek mukka hawa mein ghumaun, toh yeh mera freedom hai. Magar voh mukka aapki naak pe lage, toh usey freedom nahin kaha jaa sakta (If I swing a blow within the air, that’s my freedom. But if I find yourself hitting you, that can’t be called freedom),” he said.

Farmers have demanded action against IAS officer Ayush Sinha, who was caught on video telling policemen to “break heads” if anyone made their well beyond a cordon at the August 28 protest, by September 6, threatening to gherao the district administration’s offices in Karnal otherwise. A mahapanchayat has also been called by farmer unions on September 2 to make a decision the further course of action.

“There has got to be a limit. The CM and a number of other ministers have made it clear to the farmer union leaders that they’re hospitable talks. Even then, if farmers aren’t satisfied, they will still hold peaceful protests. The CM has clarified that they will show black flags, raise slogans. But if they plan to disrupt any official function or any political party’s function, it shall not be tolerated anymore,” a senior Haryana government officer told The Indian Express.

“The entire Sonipat, Bahadurgarh belt is badly affected thanks to the blockade on the national highway. Industries are virtually ruined. And, on top of it, if the farmers also enjoys violence and permit anti-social elements to disrupt law and order, police will certainly need to take action,” an in depth aide of Khattar said.

“Agitation is one thing, the govt too sympathises with the farmers and is willing to carry talks. But the farmers should understand that their grouse is against the Union government. How can they disrupt a political party’s internal meetings or restrict movement of any elected representative? If the elected representatives cannot go among their voters and convey what they need to mention , it’s against the principles of democracy,” another senior officer said.

Home Minister Anil Vij said, “Farmers should understand that their agitation shouldn’t become a drag for others.”

August 28 wasn’t the primary time police and farmers have clashed in Haryana. In January when farmers didn’t allow Khattar’s helicopter to land in Kaimla village in Karnal; in May when farmers attempted to barge into a faculty in Hisar where Khattar was inaugurating a makeshift Covid-19 facility; in June when farmers attacked the vehicle of JJP MLA Devender Babli in Fatehabad; and in July when the vehicle of Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker was vandalised, clashes saw people on each side injured.