Violence related to caste system is tragic: Kumari Selja
May 17th, 2010 - 4:54 pm ICT by IANS -
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."
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