People's Democracy

Mass Organisations Hold Peace March In Gohana

 Jagmati Sangwan

THERE was a strong favourable public response to the peace march and unity convention held at Gohana on September 13 by various mass organisations, local social groups and distinguished citizens. All of them joined together in the backdrop of highly polarised and charged atmosphere created by the caste and communal elements since the murder of a local financer and torching of more than 50 dalit houses.             It was the first organised effort with a humanitarian appeal and a message of reason and rationale opposing the caste reactionary forces who were fanning hatred and discord among the people.

More than 700 participants including women drawn from four districts surrounding Gohana raised a voice for true justice according to rule of law contrary to those who were seeking protection for the culprits. The joint effort by activists and leaders belonging to Sarva Karamchari Sangh (SKS), Janvadi Mahila Samiti (JMS), DYFI, CITU, Kisan Sabha, SFI, a local social group Lok Chetna Manch along with other well known dignitaries has also succeeded in roping in many local citizens who were feeling suffocated and unheard in the otherwise tense atmosphere charged by the provocative and violent activities of the anti-social elements.

The main resolutions in the convention presided over by Poonam Chand Rati was placed by renowned historian, Dr Suraj Bhan. He warned of the dangers of mixing up the culprits with their caste identities and thus protecting them from the legal procedures as being sought by the self-styled caste panchayats. It was necessary, he stated, to identify and isolate the perpetrators of murder as well as those who were behind the burning down of dalit houses. The tendency of accusing and counter accusing the castes as such for the crimes of a few would always help the perpetrators to go scot-free, and such trends are bound to disintegrate the social fabric.

AIDWA state president Jagmati Sangwan explained the painful circumstances in which the convention was being held. She placed before the participants how the women folk are made to bear the brunt of caste and religious motivated violence. She emphasised the need to put all efforts towards making people accountable to rule of law if the ghastly episodes like Duleena and Gohana are not to be repeated. She exhorted all democratic minded people and forces to close their ranks and counter the self-styled caste panchayats whose activities are not only unconstitutional but also were bringing a bad name to Haryana.

A former Haryana minister and Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh also criticised punishing the entire community for the crime of certain individuals. He referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and Gujarat carnage of Muslims to show how the poor and innocents are targeted by the communal forces. He also criticised the self styled caste panchayats for their acts to protect the culprits.

SFI  secretary Jai Bhagwan placed the socio-economic profile of the Balmiki basti based on the survey conducted among 40 families by an SFI team in the aftermath of August 31 arson. He revealed that there were 109 women, some of whom were widows, 76 were under-15 children and 16 were sweepers of the Municipal Committee residing in the dalit colony that was being branded as a ‘locality of criminals’ by some officials.

A leading local medical practitioner Dr C D.Sharma and local advocate Inder Singh Bhanwala strongly refuted the claim that the act of burning of dalit houses was the result of spontaneous anger. It was rather a preplanned act of reprisal by certain elements who should be identified and brought to book.

Among others who addressed the convention included S N Solanki, Phool Singh Sheokand (AIKS), R C Jagga (SKS), Principal Mahavir Sharma, Dr M.S.Narwal, Devender Hooda, Sunil Dutt (DYFI), Dharambir Chiri (AIAWU), Shilak Ram, Prabhu Dayal, Master Sher Singh, Jai Narain Sharma, Mangu Ram etc.