VHP and Khaps want a yatra, but the G20 wants strict control over law and order, leaving Haryana’s chief minister in a “nuh” spot

The second “Jalabhishek Yatra” is scheduled to take place in a few hours in Haryana’s troubled Nuh, despite the Vishwa Hindu Parishad having been refused permission to do so. The decision to hold another yatra was mostly made by village councils, a powerful body in the rural areas of the state that is critical during elections, which presents a challenge for chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Khattar is in a difficult position because of the peace and order scenario leading up to the G20 and the need for political balance before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

KHAPS SUPPORTS DEFIANT VHP

The VHP has said unequivocally that the yatra will occur. According to its rationale, there is no need to ask for or get permission since this is a “tirtha yatra,” thus neither is it necessary. On Monday, August 28, the Hindu month of Sawan comes to an end.

“This is a country for pilgrims. According to VHP spokesman Vinod Bansal, the yatra will begin at 11 am and that no one has requested permission, therefore the issue of a rejection doesn’t exist. Alok Kumar, the worldwide working president of the Hindutva movement, declared: “Hindu society will complete its dharma yatra in Mewat while maintaining peace and harmony in the final month of Sawan.”

The VHP does not see it as a second yatra but rather as an effort to finish the first one, which was halted when it was attacked by outside forces. As pressure on the police increased, the VHP demanded “strict action” against Congress MLA Mamman Khan of Ferozepur Jhirka for encouraging the mob violence.

Khan had launched into a tirade against cow protection in the region during the budget session in February. The Mewat area is allegedly a center for transporting illicit cows.

The VHP has not specifically called for this yatra, but rather the khaps, which presents a problem for the state’s governing party.

DOES REFUSING YATRA IMPLY THAT KHATTAR IS ‘ANTI-KHAP’?

Rural Haryana’s khap panchayats play a significant role and may affect voting behavior. Many MLAs seek their “blessings” during elections. It is “anti-VHP” and “anti-khap” to be strongly opposed to the yatra.

Assembly elections will be held in 90 Haryana constituencies after the general election contests for 10 Lok Sabha seats. Khattar cannot afford to anger a Hindutva group—certainly not the khaps—at this point in his political career.

Additionally, the G20 will start early in the next month in New Delhi with participation from prominent international leaders, including US Vice President Joe Biden. The world will continue to pay attention to New Delhi, so if there is another round of intercommunal violence in Nuh that moves to Gurugram, often known as the “millennium city,” it might damage India’s reputation.

Keeping the law and order situation under control without upsetting any stakeholders requires the chief minister to tread a fine line between the devil and the deep blue sea.

On the intended yatra route, News18 discovered a sizable paramilitary presence when it visited Nuh on Sunday.

A NERVOUS CALM

On July 31, a rare but horrifying communal riot in Nuh, which is 72 kilometers from the capital, erupted, and resulted in fighting that escalated to Gurugram nearby, where six people died, including two house guards and a priest. An examination into the violence, which resulted in the injuries of more than 20 police officers, reveals that the assault was planned out and used prearranged weapons. In Nuh, there was also an assault on the cyber police station.

After 55 FIRs and 141 arrests, Nuh’s current state is best characterized as uncomfortable quiet. Due to the severity of the violence, the state government made the quick decision to relocate the 2nd India Reserve Battalion’s (IRB) battalion headquarters from the police complex Bhondsi to the Nuh district in order to meet “imminent operational exigencies” of upholding law and order as well as peace and security.