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. 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 last owing to COVID-19 related complications. With thousands in attendance at the venue, 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. Mr. Chaudhary said he would work to live up to the faith reposed in him. He asserted that he would not budge when it came to the self-respect and dignity of the followers of Chaudhary Charan Singh. “This headgear, your blessings would act as an armour in facing any situation,” he observed. Describing Mr. Tikait’s statement as an obvious hint as only the RLD has the capacity to take on the BJP in the region, Shokendra Chaudhary of the Battisa Khap said the event had a clear political message as heads of 18 prominent khaps turned up in solidarity with the RLD president. “They promised to strengthen his hands in the forthcoming elections,” he observed. 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