Thaindian News

Chandigarh, May 17 (IANS) Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja Monday termed various incidents of caste-related violence in Haryana as “unfortunate and tragic” but said that the whole Jat community could not be blamed for the incidents.
When asked about the recent incident of arson attack on Dalit families in Mirchpur village in Hisar district by members of the Jat community, Selja said: “These incidents, which are related to caste system, are very unfortunate and tragic. The social fabric here is so strong that so far many people have not come out of it.”

A 70-year-old man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter died after sustaining burn injuries and at least 18 houses were damaged in the April 21 attack suspected to have been led by the rival but dominant Jat community in the area.

“On one hand we have many government-run schemes to uplift the poor people but I think that still there is a long way to go. Until we are able to uplift every citizen the situation cannot improve. Besides instilling a sense of security among people, government has to ensure that law and order situation should prevail,” said Selja.

Selja, who is an MP from Ambala constituency in Haryana, was in this union territory to inaugurate some tourism-related projects.

Haryana khap panchayats (community councils), which are also dominated by Jats, have been demanding an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act and a complete ban on marriages within the same ‘gotra’ or lineage.

However, Selja said that it was not appropriate to blame all Jats for the incidents of violence.

“We have myriad of cultures and traditions in our country. But for all this we cannot blame the whole Jat community just because of some people,” said Selja.

When asked about her personal opinion over the demand of amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act, Shelja said: “Congress party is clear about its stand and I will stick to it. We cannot go against law and only want that law should prevail in the country.”