Socio-economic and political contradictions construct the social milieu

Socio-economic and politico contradictions are at cross road with social taboos in Hansi (Haryana)

Brief History of Hansi:- Some historians considered that this ancient city was founded by Asha Ram Jat while others opined that the city was established by ill daughter of Prithvi Raj Chouhan testimonial of it is presence of Prithvi Raj Chouhan fort that is still exists here.  Another group of historians put forward that it was built by King Anagpal Tomer for his Guru Hansakar. Other section of historians opined that it was established by An Ireland military officer George and it was in his control form 1756-1802 and it was his capital till 1802. Britishers took over it in year 1802 and made it District Head Quarter till 1832. After independence most of the original inhabitants of this place left for Pakistani. Hansi had been enclosed by five gates of entry viz; Delhi Gate (East), Hisar Gate (west), Gosai Gate (north and west), Barsi Gate (south) and Umra Gate (South west).Now only Barsi Gate is in existence as main entrance  of old Hansi city- that was built by Alauddin Khilji. Dargah Char Qutub (four shrines) in the memory of four sufi saints namely Jamal-ul-din (1187-1261) Burhan-il-din (1261-1305) Qutub-ul-din murawar (1300-1303) and Nur-ul-din (1326-1397). This amply shows that muslims had ruled here. Colonel James Sikinner, an officer of East India Company (1778-1841) was a important personality of his time. His name is still found in the revenue records of village Mehnda and Garhi as a headman. The property in his name is still existing in the popular name of ‘Mem Ka Baag” on the NH-10 that is inherited by his descendants. Shekhpura Kothi on the outskirts of Hansi was built by James Skinner. Skinner played an important role in capture of Bharatpur and in turn granted the jagir of hansi. The famous Shekhpura kothi is now acquired by ITC and developed as a tourist complex.

          The historical backgrounds amply show that this area has traveled a long way in terms of socio-economic and cultural spheres. People of this area have witnessed concrete and real challenges from the times of Muslim rule to pre-independence of India.          Hansi is a Sub-Division of Hisar Distt. Compresses of two tehsil and one sub tehsil. It is divided in to three development block and two municipalities 93 villages fall in this Sub-Division.   Majority of its population resides in villages. The urban-rural divide seems to merge in terms of facilities available but minds and thinking of the people is sea apart. Urban habitations are predominately hebetated by non-farming communities and small and medium businessmen. Now influx of rural people in city is a significant term around that is affecting the Socio-Cultural-Mix.   

 Challenges before civil Administrations:-  The society as a whole of this Sub Division has been emerged by under going social-politico upheavals over the times. People of this area had actually participated in First Struggle of Independence in 1857. This has contributed significantly in their rebellious outlook. Although organized people’s struggle have no history after first war of independence. A few instances and personalities may be attributed to the later part of freedom struggle. Sir Chhaju Ram was a important social activist of this area who contributed in spread of education in part of state. People are well aware of their rights and also well versed in how to bargain with govt or administration because of their strong historical background. Almost all major contributors who make a broader frame work of social network seem to be in continuous and unabated conflict –few of such conflicts are discussed here that have contributed in constituting social contradictions prevailing in this part of district.

1. People to people contradictions:- Village societies are a coherent- mix of different castes. This reflect in a concept of “36 Biradari (36 castes)”. Villages are predominantly Jat dominant who are primarily land owners and practice farming as their chief vocation. Feudal values govern the psyche of people here. Society in Haryana is primarily caste oriented rather religion. Caste contradictions are a real fact in rural sectors. These caste contradictions have fragmented the village societies very badly. One time “Jajmani” system was prevalent here that was based on barter of good and services. Jajmani system was chiefly a cooperative system operated through different castes. Every caste used to practice a specific vocation to spot the farming system and earning of their livings; and goods and services were exchanged amongst themselves. Over the times the system had broken but castes in society remained and remained in the rigid form. Now farming system has changed in the advent of new inventions in the field of agriculture. Vocations practiced by different castes reduced to redundant. Non farming communities who used to provide services to farming communities are now without having a continuous source of income and are not dependent on their counter parts for economic activities any more. Cooperation and sense of belongingness recedes alarmingly and this vacuum created by historical happenings in society is filled by caste conflicts in village society. Non farming communities are oftenly barred from entering the fields and a new phenomenon of “Social Boycott” emerged. Sometimes these hostilities between the communities pave way for bloody clashes. Infamous “Mirchpur incident” is a stark example of this kind of ugly caste conflicts. This particular incident in this Sub-Division is a testimony of widening gap between Jats and non Jats and also indicates that how much mistrust is existing between the communities at village level. Another significant incident which flares this hatred is the “Jat Aarakshan movement” for the last two years. Village society looks intact outwardly; in fact it has fragmented severely at grass root level. New development has created a huge and real law and order problem before administration. Volatile situations exist in almost all villages of the Sub-Division and have potential to explode on any flimsy ground
2. People to Panchayat Contradictions:- After implementation of 73^rd constitutional amendment regular elections are held to elect Panchayats. Women and scheduled caste population get their share. However, social contradictions are always at play as societies are not a tuned to honor this historical development in the shape of constitutional rights for these sections. More or less women are represented by their males at each and every fora of decision making, their involvement is of namesake and to append signature/ thumb impressions on resolutions. Whereas panchayats headed by scheduled caste head man  are not allowed to function without patronage of a dominant section of village. The 20% panchayats headed by SC headmen are cursed to face hardships; and women headed panchayats are de facto run by their males. Major developmental schemes are bound to suffer. Administrative energy is wasted in resolving these issues. Moreover, in almost all villages there are two major groups who contested the elections having allegiance to a particular political party. The infighting between these groups not only hampers the implementation of development schemes but also vitiate the village atmosphere. Situations in municipalities are not different. They act on the same pattern.
3. People to administration contradictions: - All major civil amenities are provided by state. Water, electricity, transport, seed and fertilizers, procurement and purchase of grains are major area of conflict. However Haryana is better placed in all these segments but people react in harsh and undemocratic manner to garner more benefits. Legal modes like representation/submitting memorandums and discussions are not adduced with rather they revert to unlawful means like road blockade that has become a common practice to put forward their demands. The headless mob creates tremendous inconvenience and nuisance for general public, civil administration is always on heels to manage these ugly situations.          Interestingly, in rural Haryana males are in habit neither to work in fields nor home. Their females are compelled to don the both roles less decision making which rests in the hands of males. Most of time they resorts for playing cards or involve themselves in non-productive activities like becoming part of pressure groups, participate in political and caste rallies or throng on the roads.          Seasonal nature of crop husbandry also acts as a troublesome situation for the administration. After harvest of Rabi or Kharif crops, village people start visiting govt. offices to settle their personal scores.
4. With in family contradictions:- Females in Haryana have right in their ancestral properties. But they are denied to manage or use it. They have to release their share to their brothers. Earlier married women were/are pressed to shun their shares but now a new phenomenon is emerging. As marriageable age for females has increased beyond 18 years. Because of education or a not finding suitable match. The unmarried girls are forced to release their share even-before their marriage. One major reason of this new development is that average family land holding has shrieked and market value of land has increased manifold. After marriage of the girls, her husband and in-laws force her against release of her share. This practice has start almost a decade age in NCR where value of land increased astronomically resulting in family feud. Now females are cursed to discharge their share before marriage if they have inherited it. Otherwise also their parents get register a “will” in favor of their sons. This new development has relegated the rights and status of female to second fiddle in real sense. Society in rural area is a complex mix of all the above discussed contradictions. And a typical individual emerges out who is traditional in his approach and thoughts. Society has created its own morals to suit its demands and actions. Since major population resides in villages and a significant chunk is miring in urban centers. The urban population is significantly influenced by such intrudes. This new scenario has created a new challenge before civil administration in implementing govt. policies, plans and programs.
5. Contradiction within self and falling moral values:- Economic benefits are the major derive to test the moral values in this particular Sub-Division. However, trend is similar all over Haryana. Moral values are of namesake. To garner economic benefits directly or indirectly, people of this area may adopt any false tactics. For example; to register as a beneficiary of old age pension or having BPL card or 100 square yards plot, they may submit false certificate/affidavit without any hesitation/shyness . Extreme of falling values were noticed when ‘Aanganwari workers’ were selected in this Sub-Division. 15 marks was ear marked for widows. Many a women who have remarried after the death of their husbands, claimed themselves as widow to grab the menial job. Neither their family nor they themselves hesitated in declaring them as a widow. In fact they are married now and leading a married life. Many of them have child/ children from the second marriage. They (females) went on to record their statements in inquiries that they have produced babies by indulging in illicit relations and they are widows. Interesting phenomenon included! Where widowed women enjoying marital bliss. This is the height of falling moral values. On the one hand ‘Khaps’ are out to save the honor of society and resorting to ‘honor killings’ and on the other hand married women are out there to claim themselves as widowed to save their menial job.
6. People to Politicians contradiction: - People in rural as well as urban areas are although not organized on political ideologies but certain political activist of each political party act as their agent at village level. This situation is created by the political class to ward off any organized opposition that suits none. These political agents are clever and wicked people of different hue and color and use their political bosses/masters to pressurize the administrative machinery for their genuine or in genuine works/tasks. In fact they have become power broker at village level reality is that these ‘Lakarbaghas’ (petty political agent) rules the roost in true sense. Govt. offices have been turned in to their restrooms. A parallel hierarchy has evolved in consonance with administration hierarchy. Under pressure on Govt. offices machinery and criminal is a stark reality in Haryana.
7. Law and order: - This Sub-Division is infamous for criminal’s activities. Since most of youths, who are not in govt/ private jobs opts for crimes. Big villages are a specific demographic feature of this Sub-Division. Most of the villages are more than 10,000 population and these big villages are the big centers of crime and hotbed for criminals. 50-100 hard/petty criminals may be traced in these big habitations easily. Interestingly, these criminal elements establish contacts with politicians through political agents active in villages. When some political and social movement takes places, these criminals creep in the movements in the garb of common people. Recent “Jat Arkansan Movement” is the testimony of this kind of flux. Rail track leading to Delhi was captured near ‘Ramayan’ village of this Sub Division for 22 days. In fact, criminals were at the helms of affairs in the name of namesake committee. They sabotaged every genuine effort of the civil administration and govt. to resolve the issue. A pitched battle was fought between criminals in the garb of agitations and security forces on 06-02-2012. It is learnt that these were armed with illegal arms numbering hundreds. A young person was died in the conflict and as per assessment of police he was killed in their (agitations) scuffle with an illegal arm. Dead body was placed on railway track for the six long days to create panic and lawlessness. Area around site of agitation was like a liberated area. The ‘Talibani’ mindset of agitations put the civil life at great disadvantage. Hisar Distt. was cut off from the rest of state for 10 days practically.
8. Khap Panchayats/Local Panchayats:- A typical institution called ‘Khap Panchayats’ exists in this part of Haryana as found in different parts of northern India. The Khaps are loosely organized and manned by influential people of that caste. Their intervention on social issues is a stark reality and sometimes unholy and undemo actual decisions taken by these khap panchayats affect the lives of persons adversely. Recently these Khap panchayats are active in the name of opposition inter caste marriages or same Gotra (sub caste) marriages. Many a married couples were sacrificed in the name of family honor. And these killings are termed as ‘Honor killings’. Interestingly, female voice and choice is curved mercilessly. Females of any section whether she belongs to influential or non influential family is done to death but a different pattern may be noticed where boy of  influential family is spared but girl of influential family find no leniency and she has to sacrifice her life. The members of the ‘Khap Panchayats’ are influential people political class cannot dare to oppose their illegal and undemocratic actions in fear of loosing significant chunk of vote bank rather they seems to support them and their political line is in the agreement with the view adopted by these khaps. This unconstitutional institution has in fact overshadowed the elected gram panchayats particularly on the issue of social and individual freedom. There is a coherent link exists between ‘Khap Panchayats’ and different political parties. Political agents (Karyakarta) normally constitute the leadership of these khap panchayats. Movement of socio-politico nature is run by these khaps. Non- payment of Govt. dues, electricity bills, reservation, issues pertaining to caste conflicts and social issues like inter-caste or same gotra marriages are their ‘Pet areas’ of actions. Khap leaders are generally unreliable people and their words cannot be trusted. They are in the habit of start the movement and slip from the site. Yashpal Malik who was the leader of ‘Jat Arakshan’ movement never turns up after 19-02-12 on the site of action. Headless mob is gathered to damage the civil and private property. Morever, their writ is limited to the start of a movement and not to lead it in true sense. Almost all such movements in Haryana, whether it is Kandela movement, Nishang incident, Dadri Episode, Jat Arakshan movement or Mirchpur movement were not culminated by its leaders. These leaders are like ‘Mufti’ and their orders are like ‘Fatwas’ without any relevance to established legal and constitutional ramifications.

                                               Socio-economic and politico contradictions are at cross road with social taboos in Hansi. Area is typically infested with all kinds of social taboos. These taboos are now in conflict with economic  gains in particular. And economic gains at times are the priority of people and they knowingly ignore them (taboos)at that moment but generally their behavior  and attitude is quite in consonance with general outlook of society. Opportunism is the chief guiding factor of the majority people. They are least bother of social values when economic gains are at stake, however, they preach and practice these in their social life. A typical "dualism" is at play in the society as a whole,