Support meet for ex-governor Satya Pal Malik in Delhi cancelled: ‘This was just a spark’, say khaps

In all, leaders and members of 36 khaps turned up for a luncheon at a park near Malik’s residence. A little before noon, the meet was disrupted, with police saying they had no permission to gather.

Said Om Parkash Dhankar, pradhan of the Dhankar Khap, which was among several clan-based groups which had travelled to Delhi seeking to express support to Malik, “Jab Governor the to kati badhiya aadmi the, ab desh ko sachai dikha di to purane Governor saab te bada criminal koi na (He was a fine man when he was a Governor. But now that he has shown the country the truth, he has become a criminal of the highest order, it seems).”

Ex Governor Satyapal Malik alongwith his supporters at Police station RK puram in New Delhi on Saturday. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna(

He was referring to Malik’s claims last week that the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 could have been averted had the Centre not turned down a request for aircraft to move CRPF personnel.

“We had gathered at the park as so many people could not have been accommodated at Malik saab’s home; just for wanting to eat together, they stuffed us into vans and drove us from one police station to another. We have heard this is what happens in dictatorships,” Dhankar alleged.

Vinay Pawaria, a retired police officer and one of the attendees representing the Pawaria Khap, said, “We did not want to break the law… many of the attendees were of advanced age, so we made arrangements… It was a simple lunch.”

“We have not detained ex-governor Satyapal Malik. He has come of his own volition along with supporters to RK Puram Police Station and we have informed him that he can leave at his own will,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C said. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Dhankar further said the gathering was supposed to raise the demand for a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry to probe the issues raised by Malik over the Pulwama attack, seek enhancement of his security cover and send a memorandum to the President and Chief Justice of India in this regard.

A police officer said: “Information was received by local police that a tent has been installed at the MCD Public Park in Sector 12, following which RK Puram SHO reached the spot.”

Police informed the organisers that the spot was a public park in a residential area near a school and advised them to organise such protests at Jantar Mantar. When the attendees refused to leave the site, 24 persons were detained and taken to Jafarpur Kalan police station.

Delhi Police remove the tent before the meeting of Khaps. Leaders of 36 prominent khaps from Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi had given a call to meet in support of former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik at a park in RK Puram on Saturday, they were however asked to vacate the venue because of lack of permission by local police. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Malik’s supporters gathered in the park at around 11.30 am. A white tent had been put up to shield the participants from the heat, carpets had been laid out and over 100 chairs were set up. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Police maintained they did not detain Malik. “He came of his own volition along with supporters to RK Puram police station; we informed him that he can leave at his own will,” DCP (Southwest) Manoj C said.

Malik reportedly stayed at the police station for two hours. Around 3 pm, all those detained at Jafarpur Kalan were released.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Gurnam Singh Charuni later said, “We are getting lots of calls from supporters who want to block the roads… but I request you to hold on for the moment. We will consult among ourselves regarding the way forward and tell you; remain calm but do remain alert.” Dhankar, who also coordinates khaps around the country, said, “Yeh to chingari thi, ib aage ka dekhenge (This was just a spark, we will see what happens next).”

Meanwhile, the Congress termed CBI summons to Malik a “vengeful act”, claiming it was intended to “send out a message to Malik and all those speaking the truth to remain silent”. Congress media department head Pawan Khera said the only thing that was surprising was the fact that the move came several days after Malik raised “relevant questions” related to national security.