Extra Judicial Action In Haryana
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2023-08-10 08:49:57
About the Author
What is happening in Haryana after the Nuh-Gurugram communal clashes? The matter is so serious that the Punjab & Haryana High Court, while putting a stop to the razing of structures, demanded to know from the state government whether it was carrying out an ethnic cleansing. The local administration had allegedly identified those who had allegedly indulged in stone-throwing and rioting, mostly belonging to the minority community, and has started razing their structures, whether shanties in bustees or shops in some areas. It has also brought down a hotel after alleging that stones were thrown at the yatra from its roof. The administration is saying that it is following due process as all these structures were either illegal constructions or encroachment on government land and notices had been issued to the occupants.
Then, following the administration's lead, more than 50 panchayats in four districts of the state have issued letters barring the entry of Muslims, traders or residents, in their respective jurisdictions. Earlier too, many residents' associations in Gurugram had protested against Muslim vendors in their areas and right-wing groups had disrupted Friday namaz in many designated public places. Hence, there is a concerted and planned manner in which right wing groups are going after Muslims in the area and are garnering support from residents. With the administration now joining in, the fear that it is an ethnic cleansing is genuine.
The Punjab & Haryana HC did not mince words when it said that "apparently, without any demolition orders and notices, the law and order problem is being used as a ruse to bring down buildings without following the procedure established by law. The issue also arises whether the buildings belonging to a particular community are being brought down under the guise of law and order problem and an exercise of ethnic cleansing is being conducted by the State." This is a serious matter and the Haryana government must desist from carrying out acts that will tear the social fabric in the state.
