Rajput community protests in Karnal over youth’s murder, demands justice
Representatives submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner to press their demands, including the arrest of all killers, a government job for a family member and financial assistance
A large number of Rajput community members under the banner of Maharana Pratap Samriti Sabha on Thursday staged a protest against the brutal murder of a 25-year-old youth, Suraj, in Gondar village.
The community members criticised some people of the SC community, who used derogatory language against the Rajput community during a protest two days back at the Mini Secretariat.
As per community members, Suraj was murdered on the night of April 18. He was in jail in connection with a 2019 murder case in the village, and was on bail for the past eight months. After his murder, Rajput community members, relatives and family members blocked Karnal-Kaithal state-highway on April 19, demanding arrest of all persons involved in his murder. The police have registered an FIR and arrested two persons. After this protest, several community members protested in the city on April 21, alleging that a woman and two other members of Rajput community used derogatory language against the women of SC community. The police have registered an FIR against a woman and two other youths in this connection.
Prior to the protest on Thursday, a meeting was organised at Maharana Pratap Bhawan in Sector 8, where a large number of Rajput community members demanded the arrest of all involved in the murder. The meeting was chaired by Dr NP Singh, who gave a call for unity to fight for justice for the deceased youth and his family members.
“A 25-year-old youth was brutally murdered, but still only two persons have been arrested, while others are roaming freely. We want all the persons involved in this crime behind bars. We suspect the involvement of a gang of criminals. We have requested the SP to take immediate steps to arrest all involved in it,” said Dr Virender Singh Chauhan, a senior community leader and BJP state spokesperson.
The protest march began from Maharana Pratap Bhawan and proceeded through the city roads before culminating at the Mini Secretariat. Beating scorching heat, hundreds of community members participated, raising slogans and demanding justice. The protesters raised the concern of “misuse of SC-ST Act” against the people of upper castes, leading to social unrest in society.
At the Mini Secretariat, representatives of the community handed over a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner Rahul Raiya to press their demands, including arrest of all killers as well as conspirators, a government job to a member of the victim’s family, along with financial assistance to support them. They expressed concern that these accused pose a threat to the victim’s family and eyewitnesses. They requested police protection and issuance of arms licences for self-defence.
They also filed a complaint against some members from SC Community who allegedly used derogatory language against the Rajput community. They also demanded to cancel the FIR against a woman and two other persons of Rajput community, who were booked on the complaint of SC community members. ADC Raiya assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed and justice would be delivered.
Later, they had a meeting with the Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Bijarniya, who assured them of justice and said that police teams have been working to arrest the remaining accused.
The Rajput community members also suggested a dialogue with the SC community to maintain social harmony.
