‘Justice for all’

Given its track record, the Khattar government’s ability to put on the ground what it has put on the paper — “Vision-2030” —is questionable. The vision document talks of creating an “inclusive and just Haryana”, where “justice for all” will be possible. However, the recent incidents in the state and a less-than-adequate State response present a less rosy picture of the future. It is difficult to form a very optimistic and positive opinion of a government that is driven by cow politics and a saffron agenda, and is dependent on the likes of Dinanath Batra to formulate its education policy.  

Haryana saw the worst form of violence, loot and arson during the February 2016 Jat reservation agitation. It all happened on the watch of Chief Minister Khattar, who seems to have learnt no lessons. His government’s soft line on murderous attacks by cow vigilantes has vitiated the peaceful environment. Had the government come down heavily on the 2016 violence and attacks on cow transporters or “beef-eaters”, the Junaid lynching perhaps would not have happened. In an interview Chief Minister Khattar has claimed that it was not “a big conspiracy… There is nothing to suggest it was a planned act”. That is no big discovery. He needs to ponder why lynch mobs are active largely in BJP-ruled states.

Almost every time there is a threat to law and order in Haryana, the state police has not proved up to the task. Police reforms have not happened and those indicted by the Prakash Singh Committee have generally escaped action. Suspended officers have been reinstated. Cases are being dropped against officers and criminals. The Punjab and Haryana High Court is struggling to bring Murthal rapists to justice, despite the state police dragging its feet. And yet the vision documents promises to build “strong institutions for preserving peace and delivering justice to all”. Haryana has grown faster than other states. The threat to the peace is a threat to the state’s economic growth. No vision is possible in an unpeaceful state and social harmony is a prerequisite for any vision to become a reality.