In light of several gram panchayats passing resolutions to “boycott” members of the community and prevent their entry into the villages, Haryana’s Development and Panchayats Minister and JJP leader Devender Singh Babli told that strict action would be taken against those passing diktats against Muslims.
“I’m aware of the problem. These kinds of resolutions were adopted in a few locations. However, I have made it very plain to the district administrations of all of these locations that doing so is against the law, and that if anyone is seen issuing such diktats, strict legal action will be taken against them, Babli stated.
Panchayats response to communal confrontations
Panchayats issued the directives in response to communal confrontations that occurred in Nuh on July 31.
In the Ateli block of Rewari district, the sarpanch of Sehatpur village, Vikas Yadav, stated, “Of the 43 panchayats in the Ateli block, 30-35 panchayats have signed identical resolutions. Additionally, I serve as the leader of the Ateli block sarpanch association. There was a great deal of resentment in our communities, and we did not want any conflicts or disturbances to the peace of the community.
Entry restricted until the situation in Nuh is resolved
“The primary reason we signed these resolutions is to require strangers who visit our villages for business or lodging to be confirmed. They might include some antisocial individuals who disturb law and order. In contrast, there are four to five villages in the Ateli block where the Muslim community predominates and has resided for 40 to 50 years. They are not a problem for anyone. However, the street sellers and the rise in animal thefts are our biggest concerns, which is why we supported these resolutions. We are preventing entry of any such people into our villages until the situation in Nuh returns to normal in order to prevent any conflict, he stated.
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According to our constitution and the legislation, “such resolutions are a threat to our federal structure,” said Aftab Ahmed, the Congress MLA for Nuh. To protect the Indian Constitution and the rule of law in the state and the nation, such activities must be dealt with severely and sternly. Such acts are vitiating and upsetting the fundamental principles of the country and its Constitution, he said.
In a letter dated August 3 and delivered to the Sub Divisional Magistrate (Kanina, Mahendragarh), the sarpanch of the Gomla gram panchayat in Mahendragarh states: “In the wake of the attack and atrocities committed against Hindu brothers in Nuh, the entire village of Gomla and block Kanina, district Mahendragarh has unanimously decided that no members of the Muslim community shall be permitted to enter our village. No trading with members of the Muslim community is permitted, including roadside sales, the selling and purchase of animals, begging, etc. Muslim people steal animals at night and engage in roadside vending during the day. We made this choice to promote communal cohesion in the wake of the violence in Nuh., but no community’s religious feelings shall be hurt with this.” The letter is signed by a few persons, including sarpanch Ved Prakash, and also bears a stamp of the Gomla sarpanch.
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However, Ved Prakash stated, “Our main goal is to investigate the backgrounds of those who come to our hamlet to work as street sellers or as renters. We don’t want to focus on any one neighborhood in particular. We merely requested that the district government verify the antecedents of any street vendors or other visitors to our community, regardless of whether they are Hindus or Muslims. Other than that, there are no issues with the 10 to 15 Muslim families who work in the fields in our area.
The Bihali gram panchayat adopted a comparable resolution on the same day, which was signed on her letterhead by the sarpanch Veena Devi and a few others. Additionally, this was delivered to Mahendragarh’s SDM.
Identity-proofs required
“Want to see my children succeed in whatever they decide”: The same resolution has also been passed by Bhavna Yadav, a street seller whose son gave up his IIT seat, the sarpanch of Jainabad gram panchayat in Rewari, and it has been given to the police post in charge of Dahina. “Our village panchayat and all the villagers have decided that no naughty element or Muslim community members shall be permitted to put up their roadside vends or engage in any business activity in the village,” it reads. … All those who are staying on rent in the village have been asked to submit their identity-proofs to you so that you can get those identity-proofs verified. A public announcement in this regard has also been made across the village.”
Rajbir Singh said: “Rewari district shares boundaries with Nuh. Avoiding communal conflict in our village was our main goal. After a few days, when Nuh’s situation returns to normal, we will lift this ban.
A similar resolution was submitted by Sarpanch Narendra Yadav of the Chimnawas gram panchayat to SDM (Rewari), which claims that “people from the Muslim community do a reconnaissance during the day under the guise of roadside vends and indulge in thefts of farmers’ animals in the night.”
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