Farmers Movement Archive

Jayant gets khaps’ stamp of approval

At a social event that has political ramifications, leaders of different khaps in western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana on Sunday presented the traditional headgear to Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary and formally anointed him as the successor of Chaudhary Charan Singh’s legacy. It not only meant that from now on his name will be preceded by Chaudhary in social and political gatherings, but his word will carry weight in socio-political issues. Traditional seat Held in Chhaprauli town of Baghpat district, the traditional seat of the Chaudhary family, the event marked the “rasma pagdi” ceremony of Mr. Jayant’s father and former RLD president Ajit Singh, who passed away in May owing to COVID-19 related complications. With thousands in attendance, observers said the event was mounted as a show of strength by the RLD. It came days after the mammoth Muzaffarnagar panchayat, where a section of the media got the impression that the Bhartiya Kisan Union’s (BKU) Rakesh Tikait, who has been leading the farmers’ protest against the contentious farm laws in the region, was going to be the political face of farmers as well. Among those who presented the headgear was Naresh Tikait, president of BKU and head of the Balyan Khap. Speaking to presspersons, he reiterated his call for voting against the BJP and appealed to the public to vote for those who could defeat the ruling party. In a short speech, Mr. Chaudhary said he would work to live up to the faith reposed in him. “This headgear, your blessings would act as an armour in facing any situation,” he said. Interestingly, Rajendra Singh, head of the Gathwal Khap, who is known to be close to the BJP, was also present at the event.

The Hindu

2021-09-21

Ghaziabad