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What Is The Solution?

What Is The Solution?

The Jats in Haryana have unleashed an orgy of violence that has drastically affected the stability in the state and created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

This comes close on the heels of the Kapu agitation at Tuni that resulted in the torching of Ratnachal Express which again was preceded by the Patidar agitation in Gujarat.

Therefore, in a significant judgement, the Supreme Court said on Monday that it can't order the military to shoot at the crowd while dismissing a plea seeking giving free hand to the Army to control ‘unruly mobs’ during the Jat stir in Haryana.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur said that Army was capable enough to deal with any situation and as and when the situation arises, things will be taken care of.

“You want us to issue directions to the Army to shoot at the mob. We can't issue such directions. We can't allow the army to open fire at the mobs. As and when the situation arises things will be taken care of. Army is capable enough to deal with any situation,” said the Supreme Court.

It said that whosoever takes the law into their own hands will be prosecuted as per the law and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.

The bench observed that had the petitioner sought compensation to the victims of the violent agitation, it would have thought of considering it. “Had you asked for compensation to the victims of the agitation, we would have thought of considering it.”

While one cannot fault the wisdom of the judiciary, one cannot help feeling a bit disappointed with the ruling either. If the violent mobs know that the Army are not empowered to fire at them, will they not become further emboldened?

There are reports of dozens of women having been raped at Murthal in Haryana during the violent agitation demanding reservation for Jats. They were apparently forcibly evicted from their cars and taken to the nearby fields.

Innerwear scattered on the highway near Murthal and the account narrated by the truck drivers who vouched for this fact gave a chilling face to reports that women were raped near this popular pit-stop for travelers, just 50 km from Delhi. Similarly, at Tuni, there were women and children in the train.

Where was the security to them from these mobs? Assuming that a police or army force was present at the scene of action, what good will it do if they are under instructions not to fire? Does the damage need to be done before it is further prevented?

“We would have considered compensation for the victims of the violent agitation,” says the wise judiciary.

What compensation will be adequate enough for a woman whose modesty has been outraged? Especially, when the shameful incident itself could peraps have been prevented through use of firm action by the security forces. And how exactly will the army take care of things as and when the situation arises and that too without the use of guns?

On the other hand, giving a free hand to the army might also run the risk of making them tools in the hands of a vindictive, prejudiced administration pursuing its own social agenda. So, where lies the solution?

By Kiran Sharma

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