Haryana polls: Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed promises law against lynching in name of cow protection

Nuh: A law against lynching within the name of cow protection and a judicial inquiry into the communal violence that rocked the district last year are a range the promises being made by the Congress’ Aftab Ahmed, who is trying to find re-election from the Muslim-dominated Nuh constituency in Haryana. Ahmed, the deputy leader of opposition within the outgoing Haryana Assembly, says there have been warnings before the communal violence and he had raised concerns with the administration beforehand but they “let it happen”, no longer handiest causing loss of lives and property but additionally faith.

“The communal violence that rocked Nuh district last year turn into brought on by the BJP’s propagation of anti-social elements within the garb of ‘gau rakshaks’, they created a fear psychosis and the atmosphere turn into charged up. As MLA, I brought it to the attention of the administration that ‘you deserve to avoid such incidents’ but they let it happen,” Ahmed told PTI in an interview.

“The manager minister turn into busy having a meeting in Rewari, handiest 300 policemen were deputed for the total route despite anti-social elements from each side issuing challenges… They let it happen and till date now we have been demanding that a judicial inquiry be held (to to find) the officers guilty, the causes of such violence and the manner they handled the violence,” he added.

Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, died within the clashes that erupted in Nuh over an forestall a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession and spread to Gurugram. Police later slapped Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) charges against the Congress’ Ferozepur Jhirka MLA Mamman Khan within the case.

“A day after the violence, they demolished the homes of some those who were no longer even involved, thousands of our structures were demolished of poor people, they were no longer even involved at some point of this incident, and the stringent UAPA turn into initiated… It is the reason the Congress has been demanding a judicial inquiry into what resulted in the communal incident… It turn into no longer just the loss of lives and property but additionally faith amongst people,” Ahmed said.

“We're fortunate enough that other folks saw through their game and in the tip after the incident, no such incident turn into repeated and people realised that we should always reside in unity… We can bring a law against lynching within the name of cow protection,” he added.

Ahmed (fifty eight) is pitted against the BJP’s Sanjay Singh, the sitting MLA from Sohna constituency, in Nuh. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has fielded Tahir Hussain. Tahir Hussain is the son of Zakir Hussain, a 3-time MLA from the constituency and chairperson of the Haryana Waqf Board. He recently joined the INLD.

The BJP has never won from Nuh and the voters here have historically supported the Congress and the INLD. Nuh turn into established as a separate district in 2005 from parts of what turn into then Gurgaon and Faridabad. It has three assembly constituencies — Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka and Punhana. Nuh is the most effectiv constituency within the Muslim-dominated district where the BJP has no longer fielded a Muslim candidate.

Ahmed said, “Anti-social elements within the garb of cow protectors have been disturbing the peace and unity of this area… They seem to think they are above the law, they take the law into their very own hands, they appear to have extra-constitutional authority amongst themselves, the BJP appears to be helping them out.”

“Cow vigilantism is one in every of the election issues but the biggest is the event of area which they (BJP) stopped… In spite of declaring it an aspirational district, nothing of such sort came about within the budget allocation,” he added.

Locals in Nuh — identified as both economically and educationally backward — have been demanding improved infrastructure and the putting in of a university. Along with chronic water shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of healthcare facilities, and a high unemployment rate dominate the worries of voters within the district. Assembly polls in Haryana will likely be held on October 5 and the outcomes declared on October eight.