Dushyant Chautala backs HAU students, accuses BJP of playing caste card

Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Thursday accused BJP leaders of deliberately giving a caste-based spin to the ongoing student agitation at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU) in Hisar.

Dushyant made these remarks while interacting with students of the College of Agriculture in Bawal (Rewari), who are supporting the Hisar protest.

“Students from all communities are united in seeking justice over the unjustified police lathicharge on innocent students. Unfortunately, BJP leaders are trying to distort the issue by turning it into a caste-based controversy,” he said.

The JJP leader criticised the state government for inaction, despite assurances made by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini after the June 9 incident.

“We had met the Chief Minister immediately after the lathicharge and demanded justice for the students. He promised to form a committee to investigate the incident, but nothing substantial has been done so far. Instead, the students are being harassed,” he alleged.

Chautala also questioned the government’s approach to student welfare, pointing out that scholarships have been reduced instead of being increased.

“Using force on students for demanding their legitimate rights and coercing them to appear in exams under pressure is shameful and unacceptable,” he said.

Taking strong exception to a BJP leader’s comment on the caste nature of the protest, Dushyant challenged the narrative: “Let him come to Bawal and ask the students their caste. He will realise that they are united beyond caste lines.”

He reiterated that the JJP stands firmly with the protesting students.

“The JJP urges the Governor and the state government to take strict action against those responsible for the violence and accept the students’ demands,” he said.