‘Cong govt in Haryana would bring a law against lynching in the name of cow protection’: Deputy LoP Aftab Ahmed

What is your take on the communal violence that broke out in Nuh during the VHP’s procession in July 2023?

We had warned the administration about possible clashes at least a week before the incident as there were inflammatory social media posts regarding the procession. It was the failure of the BJP and its administration. The SP was on leave and so was the Deputy Commissioner despite being warned that the situation was tense. The riots resulted in a disproportionate action against the local residents through demolition of houses and arrests of innocent people. As a result, locals have distanced themselves from the BJP now.

Your BJP rival Sanjay Singh has blamed the Congress for the Nuh riots. What’s your response?

This is part of propaganda against Congress. The BJP and its administration are to be blamed for the Nuh riots. The BJP has been running the government. They make inflammatory speeches and break the law. They give permission to activities of “gau rakshaks” (cow vigilantes) and support them. The then BJP CM (Manohar Lal Khattar) even visited the house of the Nuh riots accused (Bittu Bajrangi).

Aftab Ahmed campaigning in Nuh. (Express)

What is your assessment of the Congress’s performance as the principal Opposition in the state over the last 10 years?

We have been very active in the Assembly on issues of people’s rights and demands, be it during the Covid pandemic or farmers’ protests. On every platform, Congress has actively tried to raise issues of pubic interest.

What would be the Congress’s measures to deal with cow vigilantes if voted to power?

Cow vigilantism in the garb of cow protection is aided and abetted by the BJP for political gains. “Gau rakshaks” are anti-social elements. Nuh riot was their flashpoint and the government was unable to control the law and order situation.

We (Congress government) would bring a law against mob lynching in the name of cow protection. We will not allow cow vigilantes to take law into their hands, chase people, search their vehicles, raid their houses or check their food. If needed, the legislation in this regard would be reviewed to see if it needs any amendment. It is law enforcement agencies’ job to crack down on cow slaughter.

Nuh’s first MLA Rahim Khan had called for a university to be set up in the constituency, which still remains a demand. You were elected from Nuh first (in 2009) when the Congress was in power. Why the Congress could not ensure development of the belt?

We have developed educational facilities in the area. In 2014, we announced that a regional centre of the MD University, Rohtak would be set up in Nagina. But after the BJP came to power, they stalled the project and no progress has been made. In our manifesto, we have again promised that we will open a university in the area.