Mewatis emerge as unlikely lifeline for flood-hit Punjab

The Mewat region has stepped up in an extraordinary way to aid flood-hit Punjab, reviving a historic bond rooted in shared struggles and solidarity.

Volunteers from Mewat have already sent about 300 trucks of relief material to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. “So far, relief material in about 100 trucks is on standby as we have got a message from Punjab not to send more food and relief material for now,” said Umar Padla, a Mewati volunteer. Remarkably, women have taken the lead — parting with silver ornaments and even donating a month’s old-age pension of Rs 3,000.

In Punjab, the scale of Mewati support has astonished locals. “It appears that out of all relief coming from outside Punjab, Mewat is contributing nearly 25 per cent. We are surprised to see small bottles of edible oil, boxes of salt and even grain distributed under the PDS being donated,” said Devender Singh Sekhon from Mohali.

Historians and community leaders trace the connection to the region’s shared agrarian roots. “Though Mewat was part of joint Punjab before Haryana came into existence in 1966, people here are essentially farmers like in Punjab. It is a sort of reunion of the farming communities,” said Siddiq Ahmed Meo, author of several works on Mewat’s history.

This solidarity is not new. From the CAA protests to the farmers’ agitation, Mewatis stood shoulder to shoulder with Punjab’s farming community. Their “Mewati camp tea” became famous at the Shahjahanpur border, while Maulana Arsad Meel led a Mewati camp at the Sunehra border. During the July 2023 Nuh violence, farmers reciprocated by supporting Mewatis.

“Not just the farmers’ protest, we cannot forget how Sikhs from Punjab stood by us during Shaheen Bagh. It’s payback time when they are in crisis,” said Shahrukh Khan of the Fraternity Movement’s Mewat unit.

The historic ties run even deeper. “Historically, Sikh–Meo relations run deep. The Meos share several gotras with Jat Sikhs, such as Kang, Jun, Bank and Khokhar,” said Meo, adding that during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Mewat remained peaceful and safeguarded Sikh families, dairy farms and truckers.

Dr Mahender Singh, history professor at DN College, Hisar, highlighted Mewat’s legacy of resistance and sacrifice. “As per records, 9,000 Mewatis laid down their lives during the 1857 revolt, while the total casualty from Haryana was 24,500,” he said, recalling leaders like Hasan Khan Mewati who fought alongside Rajputs against Babar. “For them, loyalty to homeland came before religion.”

From 1857 to Shaheen Bagh, from farmers’ protests to Punjab floods — Mewatis have carried forward a tradition of valour, service, and solidarity.