chhillar
June 13th, 2006, 03:31 AM
Meham panchayat’s call to boycott pro-quota MPs, MLAs
Raman Mohan
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, June 12
The Meham Chaubisi Panchayat has jumped onto the anti-quota bandwagon threatening pro-quota MPs and legislators with social and political boycott.The Chaubisi panchayat passed a resolution to this effect at a meeting held at the historic chabutra in Meham, 30 km from here, on Sunday. It was presided over by Mr Surat Singh, who claims to be the panchayat head for the past several years although, historically, the panchayat cannot have a permanent chief. Traditionally, Meham Chaubisi has been electing a chief every time it met on a specific issue.
The meeting was addressed by representatives of medicos, various Khap panchayats and youth leaders. For the first time in its history the Chaubisi set up a youth wing of the panchayat to spearhead the anti-quota stir. The command of the youth wing was handed over to Mr Amit Kumar alias Pehalwan a wrestler, who has participated in international wrestling meets.
The panchayat through another resolution, directed representatives of Khaps and the Bharatiya Kisan Union leaders to set up anti-quota committees in every village to organise support for the stir at the village level.
It also decided to hold a mahapanchayat on the issue at Chhotu Ram park here on July 17 and set deadline for establishing village-level panels by July 16. Simultaneously it was decided to cancel the mahapanchayat on this issue which was to be held here on June 17.
The newly appointed chief of the youth wing Amit Kumar announced that five youths from the Chaubisi area would court arrest everyday. However, he did not say when the arrests would begin.
It remains to be seen how effectively the Chaubisi organises its stir. If the past history is any indication, it could create a lot of trouble for pro-quota elements. The historic Meham Chaubisi panchayat had been instrumental in elevating the late Devi Lal first to the post of Haryana Chief Minister and later Deputy Prime Minister when it backed him.
However, the same Chaubisi was instrumental in almost ending the political career of former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala in the early nineties following the infamous Meham mayhem during the abortive byelections from the Meham constituency at that time.
But, since then the panchayat’s credibility has been eroded substantially because of its indulgence in politics. Also there are two different factions of the Chaubisi now. The other one is headed by Ram Sarup who claims to be the real chief .
Raman Mohan
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, June 12
The Meham Chaubisi Panchayat has jumped onto the anti-quota bandwagon threatening pro-quota MPs and legislators with social and political boycott.The Chaubisi panchayat passed a resolution to this effect at a meeting held at the historic chabutra in Meham, 30 km from here, on Sunday. It was presided over by Mr Surat Singh, who claims to be the panchayat head for the past several years although, historically, the panchayat cannot have a permanent chief. Traditionally, Meham Chaubisi has been electing a chief every time it met on a specific issue.
The meeting was addressed by representatives of medicos, various Khap panchayats and youth leaders. For the first time in its history the Chaubisi set up a youth wing of the panchayat to spearhead the anti-quota stir. The command of the youth wing was handed over to Mr Amit Kumar alias Pehalwan a wrestler, who has participated in international wrestling meets.
The panchayat through another resolution, directed representatives of Khaps and the Bharatiya Kisan Union leaders to set up anti-quota committees in every village to organise support for the stir at the village level.
It also decided to hold a mahapanchayat on the issue at Chhotu Ram park here on July 17 and set deadline for establishing village-level panels by July 16. Simultaneously it was decided to cancel the mahapanchayat on this issue which was to be held here on June 17.
The newly appointed chief of the youth wing Amit Kumar announced that five youths from the Chaubisi area would court arrest everyday. However, he did not say when the arrests would begin.
It remains to be seen how effectively the Chaubisi organises its stir. If the past history is any indication, it could create a lot of trouble for pro-quota elements. The historic Meham Chaubisi panchayat had been instrumental in elevating the late Devi Lal first to the post of Haryana Chief Minister and later Deputy Prime Minister when it backed him.
However, the same Chaubisi was instrumental in almost ending the political career of former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala in the early nineties following the infamous Meham mayhem during the abortive byelections from the Meham constituency at that time.
But, since then the panchayat’s credibility has been eroded substantially because of its indulgence in politics. Also there are two different factions of the Chaubisi now. The other one is headed by Ram Sarup who claims to be the real chief .