Ram Bilas admits to govt lapses during 2016 Jat stir
ROHTAK: Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma on Saturday admitted to lapses on the part of the government in dealing with the violent February 2016 Jat reservation stir that caused 30 deaths and wide-scale destruction of government and private properties in eight districts of the state. He was addressing mediapersons in Rohtak. This is for the first time that any leader from the ruling party admitted to any kind of failure from its side in dealing with the unprecedented violence of February 2016 in Haryana’s history.
ROHTAK: Haryana education minister Ram Bilas Sharma on Saturday admitted to lapses on the part of the government in dealing with the violent February 2016 Jat reservation stir that caused 30 deaths and wide-scale destruction of government and private properties in eight districts of the state.
The minister was addressing a news conference in Rohtak, where he accused former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of “manufacturing the 2016” violence. However, when asked about retired IPS officer Prakash Singh-led commission report indicting the government functionary for failure, Sharma admitted that there were some lapses on the government’s part as well.
“The state residents know who was behind the violence. Hooda’s political advisor’s audio had also surfaced in which the violence was being plotted. However, we also could not do what had needed to be done to stop the violence,” he said.
This is for the first time that any leader from the ruling party admitted to any kind of failure from its side in dealing with the unprecedented violence of February 2016 in Haryana’s history.
VOWS ACTION AGAINST YASHPAL MALIK
As All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) has announced for another agitation from August 16, Sharma maintained that no one will be allowed to break law and order this time. He also assured action against AIJASS chief Yashpal Malik who has been spearheading the Jat stirs from past two years.
Attacking Hooda, Sharma said that the former CM gave the contract to implement edusat programme in government schools to his relative’s company and that he has run away with ₹72 crores. Sharma, however, ditched the question on what action has been taken against the company so far.
The minister also did not answer questions on why they have so far not taken action against Hooda despite accusing him multiple times of orchestrating the violence during Jat stir.
The minister’s news conference, which was held at Tilyar Tourist Complex in Rohtak, was marred by electricity failure for more than half-an-hour, leaving him embarrassed as he also holds the tourism portfolio in cabinet.