Pranjal - Sociology Project

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Sociology-I ResearchPaper

Social And Political Dynamics of Jats in WesternUttar Pradesh And Haryana

Pranjal Singh

Roll Number 1829


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Index Page Number

Introduction 2

Research Methodology

1. History of Jat Community:1.1. Anthropogenic History of Jat C lans.......................................................................... .....51.2. Medieval and Modern History of Jat Cla ns.6

2. Social Structure of Jat Society2.1. What are the Social Norms and the concept of Khap and Khap Panchayats? ..7 2.2. Honour Killings and Khap Panchayats Role in them .....7 2.3. Importance of Education and Major fields o f Employment...9

3. Political Aspirations And Realities3.1. Political Scenario in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.103.2. Political Aspirations of Jat s Today11

Conclusion13

Bibliography 1

Annexure 115

Annexure 2.17

Annexure 3


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Introduction Jats are a well-known community of people in northern India, inhabiting wide areas ranging

from Pakistan, Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh (U. P.) to Haryana and Rajasthan. Primarilylanded farmers, Jats are a hardy lot, famous for their frankness and hardiness. Loyalty andtruthfulness are the most common traits associated with a Jat. Jat regiment in the Indianarmy is a glaring example of their courage and a spirit of self-sacrifice. There is a sayingwithin the community, Consider a Jat dead only thirteen days of his death.

Jats are a diverse community. They do not belong to a single religion ; Jats may be Hindu,Muslim or Sikh. Yet , there is a remarkably strong feeling of brotherhood within thecommunity. With a population of twelve million, 1 Jats are one of the largest communities in

India. Jats are one of the most influential communities in the corridors of power. Theydominate the political scenario in Punjab and Haryana and are a strong force to be reckonedwith in Western U.P. and Rajasthan. From Cutting off the water supply of the nationalcapital, New Delhi, in June , to bravely standing before the Central Reserve Police Force(when Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait was about to be arrested for making derogatoryremarks against the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ms Mayawati. 2), Jats are fiercely loyal,yet reckless.

1

According to 2001 census . 2 Interview with Mr Pankaj Malik on July 20, 2010.


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Research Methodology: Aim:

The aim of this research paper is to analyse the social interactions within the Jat Society andthe political scenario of Western U.P. and Haryana with respect to Jats.

Objective:

This Jat society is often criticised for its so-called dictatorial hierarchy of Khap Panchayatsand Chaudhary. This system has recently come under fierce criticism due to the infamoushonour killings in Haryana and western U.P., where couples were killed for inter-castemarriages and same Gotra Marriages amongst other issues such as lowering of

marriageable age amongst girls3

. Such incidents have projected an image of Jats as abackward tribal community. Public perception of Jats has been considerably altered by thismisrepresentation of a progressive community that has steadily developed itself from anagrarian society to a well organised global syndicate. This research paper would try to bringout

This paper examines the origins of this community and tries to gain a comprehensiveunderstanding of the evolutionary trends of Jat traditions. This is achieved by studying thesocial and political psyche of Jats in order to understand their collective behaviour as asocial unit.

Research Questions:

The questions to be answered by this paper are:

1. Historical issues:a. What are the origins of the Jats?

2. Social issues:a. What are the social norms of Jat society?b. What is the relevance of Khap Panchayat system in the present Day Jat

society?c. What is the role of Khap Panchayats in honour killings?d. What is the scenario in Jat community in terms of Education and

Employment?3. Political issues:

3D. Mahapatra, Will Government act fast to stop Khap Terror? , TIMESOF INDIA, (July 5 2010), Availablea t http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cms, (July 19, 2010)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cms


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a. What is the political Scenario in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana?b. What are the major political issues relevant to Jats?c. What the major demands of the Jat Community are in todays world?

Hypothesis:

1. Jat Community of Western Uttar Pradesh is not a backward, conservative andcompletely agrarian. Albeit, Jats are a progressive people with a strong socialconscience. Socially, they are quite advanced, although traditionalists, andemphasize strongly on education, especially in girls.

2. Jats are politically very aware and their political behaviour as a community ismotivated by their aspirations in todays world.

Scope and Limitations:

This research paper relies mainly on the views of the eminent Jat leaders and scholars. Thisis mainly due to the lack of availability of any written material on Jats and their culture.However, there are a few books and articles to which reference may be made. Yet, effortshave been made to keep this paper as neutral in its outlook as possible.

Also, the scope of this research paper is confined to Jat people living in the Doab region of Western Uttar Pradesh (Namely Districts of the cow-belt such as Saharanpur,Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Bijnor, Mathura, and Agra and nearbyareas) and Haryana (districts of Haryana primarily focussed on are Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal,

Sonipat and Ambala).

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Part I: History of the Jat Community

Part 1.1- Anthropogenic and ancient History of Jat Clans

Although Jat clans claim to have descended from the Hindu God Shivas Locks, the truth isfar more complex. One clue to the origins of this community is found in the fact that JatMutations responsible for a certain kind of Glaucoma have been found in the Romanianpopulation, hitherto considered to be native inhabitants of Transylvanian region. Thismutation was first discovered in Pakistani Jatt families by Manir Ali of Leeds University. Theuniversity released a press release last year in this regard:

" An international collaboration led by Manir Ali of the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, first identified the Jat t mutation in one of four Pakistani families. Further study amongst

Roma populations in Europe showed that the same mutation accounted for nearly half of all

cases of PCG [Primary congenital glaucoma] in that community. Manir Alis research also

confirms the widely accepted view that the Roma originated from the Jatt clan of Northern

India and Pakistan and not from Eastern Europe as previously believed. "4

Historian James Todd has also corroborated the name Jat with Getae, which were thepeople inhabiting the regions of Lower Danube around seventh century B. C. 5 Jat historian,

Thakur Deshraj proposes that the name Jat is a distorted form of Jnaatisangh , a federationformed by Sri Krishna during Mahabharata from Vrishni and Andhak clans. 6

4Leeds University, Glaucoma , (2009), Available at

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/media/press_releases/current09/glaucoma.htm.5J. Todd, A NNALS ANDANTIQUITIES OFRAJASTHANVol. 1, p. 623, (1972, reprint)6Thakur Deshraj, J AT ITIHAS, 96-101, 1992.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_School_of_Medicinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_School_of_Medicine


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Part 1.2- Medieval and Modern History of Jat Clans

Jats do not take the foreground in India for a very long time, although small Jat states didexist in Jangladesh region (Northern Rajasthan and Haryana). 7

These clans came into prominence after the major Jat uprising of 1699 in the MathuraRegion. The causes of this rebellion are not clear, yet major historians have attributed it tooppressive policies of and religious discrimination by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb 8. Eventhough the rebellion failed, it left its mark on history. Jat people have been in the limelightever since and no sooner than the Mughal Empire failed, Jats unleashed their fury uponWestern Uttar Pradesh, shaking off the yolk of Mughal Rule.

7 J. Todd, A NNALS ANDANTIQUITIES OFRAJASTHANVol. 1, (1972, reprint)8Thakur Deshraj, J AT ITIHAS, 1992.


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Part II: Social structure of Jat Society

Part 2.1: What are the Social Norms and The concept of Khapand Khap Panchayats?

Jats are fervent followers of the Gotra System . A Gotra refers to a sub-caste within a caste.Jats Caste is made up of more than five hundred Gotras. Each Gotra is like a clan, whereeach member is considered to be an extended family member. Although this system was,until a century ago, extremely strong in all other caste-societies, it has lost its prominence inmost communities today. Yet Jats consider it an integral part of their society. 9

Each Gotra is headed by a Council of elders called the Gotra Panchayat or Khap Panchayat.

The head of this Khap Panchayat is called the Chaudhary. The Khap is a form of socialgovernance which existed long before any formal Government was introduced in the area.Contrary to popular belief, Khaps are not the image of tyranny in Jat society. Recently, KhapPanchayats have also been criticized for authorising Honour Killings. However, theseallegations could not be further from the truth. Khap Panchayats, though not strictlybenevolent, are instrumental in bringing social reformation in the Jat society. KhapPanchayats take on a lot of social issues such as alcoholism, dowry and widow remarriage.Mr Harendra Malik says, Widow Remarriage is also an important issue where Jats haveproven themse lves to be more liberal than other communities. It is nowadays a common

practice in Western U.P. and Haryana to marry a widow to her husbands brother or another relative. Jat community has also effectively eradicated the tradition of Child -Marriage. In1956, a Sarva- Khap Panchayat (All Khap -Panchayat congregation), took place at Shorum,near Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and major steps were taken for social uplifting of Jats.Dowry was prohibited and customary Gifts to be accepted during various ceremonies(Sagaai) were restricted to one Rupee. These rules were strictly followed for many years, butin the past few years, these rules have been increasingly ignored, owing to the loss of regardin peoples minds for the Khap and migration of the peop le to urban areas. 10

Part 2.2: What is the reason of Honour Killings and what isthe role of Khap Panchayats in it? 11

9 This section is compiled from information obtained through interviews with Chaudhary Tejpal Singh, a notedlocal scholar and a post graduate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and with Mr. Harendra Malik,one of the most prominent politicians of the Jat community, having been elected to the RajyaSabha in 2003and to the VidhanSabha of Uttar Pradesh before that, for three consecutive terms.10

Id.11This section is compiled through interviews with Mr. Harendra Malik, Ex-MP RajyaSabha and Ex-MLA of UPLegislative Assembly. This interview was conducted on telephone on July 20, 2010.


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During the course of research, the researcher uncovered that in case of same-Gotramarriages and inter-caste marriages Khaps have been made scapegoats by the followers of the pseudo-modernists. 12 Although the Khap does oppose these marriages, it has nevertaken the law into its own hands. No honour killing has actually been committed on the

orders of a Khap Chaudhary or its Panchayat. It is actually the families of these boys andgirls who resort to murdering their own children, for the sake of their so-called honour.Khap Panchayats have never been involved. Its not like Taliban. They are just your elders... says Mr Harendra Malik, a prominent Jat leader who has been a member of both the Indianparliament and the State Legislative Assembly. He continues I know of a girl in my ownvillage who married in to a same Gotra Family. The (Khap) Panchayat expressed itsdispleasure but refrained fr om taking action in the interest of the girls family 13He alsoblames the conflict between the misinterpreted western culture prevalent in the urbanareas and the basic Indian culture of the rural hinterlands. A lot of Jats have settled in the

cities and live in a different environment. Their children follow the same social norms andact accordingly. Yet these people want them to behave like themselves, in a traditionalmanner, in order to preserve their social status. This tendency leads them to take suchdrastic steps against their own children .

He also iterates that these views are put forward by people disjointed from Jat society andsend out a wrong message. But that is not to say that Khaps are benign towards elopementand same Gotra marriages. These marriages cause strict social action against the couplesfamilies, ranging from fines to social boycott. One might question the authority and fairness

of the Khap Panchayat on this issue, but in reality, it is not just the Panchayat, it is the wholecommunity that has reached this decision. This point is further proved by the fact that KhapPanchayat does not take any arbitrary steps to ensure the execution of the punishment. Thewhole community agrees to it. It is a microcosm of democracy. That is what happens in anydemocratic setup. By agreeing to the laws made by the Indian Parliament, we are essentiallyfollowing the same system albeit at a larger scale.

Mr Pankaj Malik, member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, and an active memberof National Youth Congress, puts forth the same argument more directly , If one is to havecomplete freedom, then should one marry ones sister? India is known for its culture andfamily values. I do not say that we should not move forward, but is it wisdom to give up yourown culture for a hoax. 14 He also insists, Khap panchayats are not murderers. Maximumpenalty is maybe social boycott, with a request to leave the village, but that only happens inthe most serious cases .15

12 Id.13 Id.14

Mr Pankaj Malik is an MLA in Uttar Pradesh. He is a young voice of the Jat community. The excerpt givenabove is a part of the telephonic conversation that took place on July 20, 2010.15 Id.


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On analysing the problem of same-Gotra marriages from a scientific angle an important factemerges. There is indeed a scientific rationale behind disallowing same Gotra marriages.The Gotra is indeed ones extended family and thus the D. N. A. gene pool is more or lesssimilar. Marrying in your close relative would result in weaker subsequent generations as

their gene pool has become narrow. Marrying outside ones Gotra, however, would providehigher Genetic Diversity and a wider Gene Pool and thus stronger progeny.

Part 2.3 What is the Importance of Education in Jat Community and What are the Major Fields of employment?

In the past few decades, Jat society has begun to increasingly emphasize on the need of education. From being a primarily Agrarian Community, Jat society is now progressingrapidly in various fields. Engineering and medical are two of the most sought after careers.

Every year many young minds find place in various prestigious institutions in India andabroad. Recently Dr Vineet Balyan, from Kakra, Muzaffarnagar (U. P.), was admitted to AllIndia Institute of Medical Sciences for a post graduate Course after securing the first rank inthe Entrance Examination. He had obtained his graduates degree also from the sameinstitution. Isha Singh, the first ranking candidate the in All India Public medical test forentrance to Indias major medical colleges - also belongs to the Jat community. Educationfor girls is also a major priority and several girls schools have been instituted in the recentyears for this purpose. Even as such, the community has prioritised education for itssubsequent generations. Various institutions have been built for this purpose in Western

Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Jan Vidya Inter College in Baraut, near Meerut and Agro Collegein Bulandshahar are glaring Examples of this spirit. One would indeed be amazed to knowhow immense has been the contribution of the local khap panchayats in this regard. Forinstance, CCR Inter College is a charity institution that provides affordable education toeconomically weak students. This college was star ted by khap Panchayats collective effortand receives a hefty donation every year from these Khap Panchayats. 16

16 Given Facts were provided by Mr. Tejpal Singh, in course of the telephonic conversation that took place onJuly 20, 2010.


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Part III: Political Aspirations andRealities

Part 3.1: What is the Political Scenario in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana?

Politics for Jats is centred on agriculture. Having been a mostly agriculture dependentcommunity, crop prices is always the first issue in their mind. Sugarcane prices relateddisputes in Western UP have often led to a political debacle. Despite all this, Jats in westernU.P. are not an organised caste electorate. However, Jat vote is extremely important for anymajor party to sweep the region. In the 70s, Jats occupied a prominent position on the

countrys political Stage. Some major politicians of that period were:

Virendra Verma: Mr Virendra Verma was an eminent Jat personality. He was theMinister of Agriculture and Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh Government in 1970s. He wasalso the Home minister with the Uttar Pradesh Government in 1971. Later on hebecame the governor of Himachal Pradesh in 1991-92. 17

Chaudhary Charan Singh: Considered by many to be the most important and welldistinguished Jat leader of all times , Chaudhary Sahib, as he was known, was twiceelected to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. When the Janata party government

came to power in 1977, he was appointed the home minister of India. He was alsothe Prime Minister of the country for a short time in 1979. He is worshipped by theJat community, revered next only to Mahatma Gandhi. It is, however, curious to notethat his infamous role in toppling the Janata Government has been convenientlyforgotten by the Jats. 18

Chaudhary Bansilal: He was the chief-minister of Haryana for three separate terms1968-75, 1985-87, and 1996-99. Many historians call him the architect of ModernHaryana. He also served as defence Minister in Indira Gandhi government in 1975. 19

Chaudhary Devilal: He was a freedom fighter and played a decisive role in formation

of Haryana as a separate state. He was elected on Janata party Ticket in 1977 andwent on to become the chief-minister of Haryana. He is also referred to as Shaan-E-Haryana , for his strong views against emergency and authoritarian rule. He alsoserved as deputy Prime Minister in V. P. Singh Government. 20

17 Id.18 Chaudhary Charan Singh, MAPSOFINDIA.COM, available at http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.html, (visited on July 22, 2010).19 CHAUDHARYBANSILAL JATLANDWIKI, available at , www.jatland.com/home/Chaudhary_Bansi_Lal, (visited on

July 22, 2010).20 Ch. Devilal tau Famous People, available at , http://www.haryana-online.com/people/devilal.htm,(visited on July 23, 2010).
http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.html


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Even today major Jat leaders impact the political stage in western U.P. and Haryana. Mr AjitSingh, Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait and Om Prakash Chautala are one of the mostprominent Jat leaders today. However, the thinking of the Jat community has substantiallychanged over the years. Rapid spread of education and awareness has altered the views of

the community drastically over the past few years. No longer do Jats look for their owncandidates. Mr Pankaj Malik puts it in this way, Till a few years back, Chaudhary CharanSingh was iconic to the whole Jat society but today trends have changed. Jats have grownout of the towering memories of Chaudhary Sahib and rising trends in education havewashed away caste politics in most areas. What concerns them, however, is sugar caneprices as sugarcane is the major crop in the area. 21 Agriculture related issues have beenvoiced quite vehemently by Jat leaders like Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait, supremo of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Indian Farmers union). Jat voters from Western Uttar Pradesh havein 2009 elections shown that caste politics is not an option anymore for leaders. Many

leaders belonging to other communities found favour with the Jats on account of theirauthenticity. 22

In Haryana too, Jats are the most important electorate. Jat support is essential to stay inpower. Also, in Haryana, Jats are a much more organised political force. The wholecommunity decides whom to support even before the elections through khap panchayats.

Part 3.2: What Are the Political Aspirations of Jats in TodaysScenario?

Dr Pankaj Singh, a prominent member in the community and a prominent physician inMuzaffarnagar, views the most important problem of Jat s to be pricing of sugarcane. Millsare not paying the adequate amount; it seems that they are hell-bent upon harming thefarmers interests. During the harvest season, farmers are ready to work day and night toreap the harvest and get it to the mills in time. Yet, the owners pay them a meagre rate. Ican see the falling number of patients in harvest season. They are ready to even risk theirhealth. 23

Over the past few years, a lot of sugar mills have witnessed massive protests from farmers,primarily Jats, and every time they are appeased with a token rise in prices. A lot of farmersin bordering areas of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana often resort to selling their produce inHaryana, as prices often go higher there. Even Uttarakhand is a sought after market as highprices are given by the government.

Another important issue has been reservation for Jats in Central Universities andinstitutions. Hitherto, Jats have been classified under Other Backward Classes in Uttar

21 Excerpt from an interview with Mr. Pankaj Malik conducted on July 20, 2010.22

Compiled from the information and facts provided by Mr. Pankaj Malik and Mr. Tejpal Singh duringinterviews conducted on July 20, 2010.23 Excerpt from an interview with Dr. Pankaj Singh conducted on July 21, 2010.


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Pradesh and Rajasthan. But for a long time they have been demanding reservation from thecentral government. Recently, a Jat Aarakshan Samiti has been formed with Mr YashpalMalik as its president. It took some drastic steps when it blocked the water supply to DelhisSonia Vihar water treatment plant. This led to a major water crisis in Delhi 24 . Although major

leaders of the community kept their distance from this debacle, it managed to make a pointby bringing the National Capital to its knees. Mr Pankaj Malik also explains, The Congresshad organised a massive rally in Western Uttar Pradesh to bring this issue [of reservation] tothe centre stage. It s just that we dont agree with adopting any unconstitutional measuresto meet our demands. 25

Another major issue in Western Uttar Pradesh is formation of Harit Pradesh. The issue wasraised by Jat stalwart Chaudhary Ajit Singh. The proposed state would include twenty twodistricts of western Uttar Pradesh. The primary reason sighted for this demand is the fact

that western Uttar Pradesh is the most important beneficiary of green revolution and at thegrass root level it resembles Punjab and Haryana more than Easter Uttar Pradesh. Also, ithas been felt that western U.P. has been neglected by the Lucknow based administration.This demand received impetus after Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand were carvedout as separate states in the year 2000. 26

This demand received favour from the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr O.P. Chautala in 2001.His motives were, however, questioned by the political analysts, seeing it as a political moveto gain a foothold in Uttar Pradesh. 27 The issue has been recently revived by Ajit Singh in thewake of Telangana issue.

Yet not everyone is ready to come into the fray. Mr Pankaj Malik, MLA of congress partyfrom Baghra constituency in Muzaffarnagar district, says It is just a political propaganda of Lok Dal and Mr Ajit Singh. It is not an issue connected with the common man. I representthe people of my constituency. Why should I concentrate on issues irrelevant to them? Iwould rather spend my time in finding solutions to their immediate problems, like irrigationand subsidies. 28

24MasoodUl Hassan, CM supports Jats' OBC demand, THE HINDUSTANTIMES, (June 14, 2010), available at http://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspx, (Last visited on July25, 2010.25 Excerpt from an interview with Mr. Pankaj Malik conducted on July 20, 2010.26

Jag pal Singh, P OLITICS OFHARITPRADESH: THECASE OFWESTERNUP AS ASEPARATESTATE, 36(31), ECONOMICAND

POLITICALWEEKLY, 2961-2967. 27Bijendra Ahlawat , INLD bid to get foothold in UP , THE TRIBUNE, (Chandigarh Edn., July 5, 2001).28 Annexure III
http://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspxhttp://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspx


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Conclusion After looking at the Jat community from an unconventional perspective, this research paper

concludes that the Jat community in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana is not as primitiveor conservative as generally perceived. Although quite a few traditionalistic elements doexist in this society, the general trends in the social development of the society are positive.

The community, though no longer agrarian, is very well organised as a large family that livesin the spirit of brotherhood. Khap Panchayats role in the running of the society has alsobeen analysed by this paper and it is felt that these panchayats are not as tyrannical as washitherto believed. These are in fact administrative and social bodies that regulate thesociety in a most positive spirit. These panchayats have borne the onus of honour killings

primarily due to their stern outlook and prejudices of the media, which interprets theseactions of the families to be the result of the pressure built by the society vis--vis khappanchayats.

It is necessary, therefore, to recognise Jats as a progressive community with an honestoutlook. They are no longer to be considered illiterate masses. Their political aspirations arefinally affecting the corridors of power in India. Also, one should also look at the rising levelsof literacy and education within the Jat community. This is a clear indicator of social andmaterial progress of this relatively unknown community that has often faced flak for itsstrong views. Thus, it is concluded that Jats today need to be revisited with a neutralapproach. Only then, will a new insight into this community be possible.


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Bibliography: Books

James Todd , ANNALS ANDANTIQUITIES OFRAJASTHANVOL. 1 , (1972).

Thakur Deshraj, J AT ITIHAS, (1992)

Articles

MasoodUl Hassan, CM supports Jats' OBC demand, THE HINDUSTANTIMES, (June 14, 2010),

available at http://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-

557653.aspx

D. Mahapatra, Will Government act fast to stop Khap Terror? , TIMES OF INDIA, (July 5

2010), Available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-

khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cms

Chaudhary Bansi Lal Jatland Wiki, available at,

www.jatland.com/home/Chaudhary_Bansi_Lal, (visited on July 22, 2010)

Bijendra Ahlawat, INLD bid to get foothold in UP, The Tribune, (Chandigarh Edn., July 5,

2001).

Jag pal Singh, Politics of Harit Pradesh: The Case of Western UP as a Separate State,

36(31), ECONOMIC and Political Weekly, 2961-2967.

Chaudhary Charan Singh, M APSOFINDIA.COM , available at

http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-

singh.html

Ch. Devilal tau Famous People, available at , http://www.haryana-

online.com/people/devilal.htm

Leeds University, Glaucoma , (2009), Available at

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/media/press_releases/current09/glaucoma.htm

Telephonic Interviews with the following:

Mr Harendra Malik, Ex-M.P., Ex-MLA in Uttar Pradesh.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspxhttp://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspxhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/choudhary-charan-singh.htmlhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-govt-act-fast-to-stop-khap-terror/articleshow/6128240.cmshttp://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspxhttp://www.hindustantimes.com/CM-supports-Jats-OBC-demand/Article1-557653.aspx


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Mr Pankaj Malik, Member of the Legislative Assembly from Congress Party in Uttar

Pradesh.

Mr Tejpal Singh; Noted Scholar in the Jat Community, Post Graduate from Jawaharlal

Nehru University, New Delhi. Dr. Pankaj Singh, eminent personality in the Jat society in Muzaffarnagar, also a

prominent Physician.


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Annexure I Following is an excerpt from the interview of Mr Harendra Malik, conducted over telephone

on July 20, 2010. Mr Malik is an eminent Jat leader. He is also an Ex-M. P. of Rajya Sabha andEx-MLA of Uttar Pradesh.

Q: What is Khap? What is the social significance of Khaps in the Jat community?

Ans: Khaps are sub cast within the Jat caste. They are like extended families. All membersbelonging to a Gotra or khap have descended from the same forefathers. Like all Balyans, allKarnwals, all Maliks are separate large clan-families.

Every Khap has a council of elders called the Khap Panchayat. Khap Panchayat has a

headman called Chaudhary of the Khap. Khap Panchayats are revered in the khap and in theJat community on the whole. They are your elders and keepers of the morality of thesociety. Khap Panchayat also issues directives to the people of the Khap such as not to drink,abolish dowry etc. Widow Remarriage is also an important issue where Jats have proventhemselves to be more liberal than other communities.

Q: What is the role of Khap Panchayats in Honour Killings? What is the reason for such

staunch opposition against same-Gotra Marriages?

Ans: Honour Killings occurs in all communities. Jats have been branded for it. People, who

publicly blame Khap Panchayats in the matter, are actually misleading the outsiders todevelop a wrong view against the Jats. It is actually the families of these boys and girls whoresort to murdering their own children, for the sake of their so-called Honour. KhapPanchayats have never been involved. Its not like Taliban. They are just your elders. This isnot to imply that panchayats do nothing at all. Action might range from fine to socialboycott, but these measures are taken under exceptional circumstances. I know of a girl inmy own village who married in to a same Gotra Family. The (Khap) Panchayat expressed itsdispleasure but refrained from taking action in the interest of the girls family.

Same Gotra Marriages have been opposed because a girl or a boy of your own Gotra is yoursibling. Do you marry your Sister? But khap also says dont drink, dont smoke or dontgamble. Does anyone listen?

Q: What is the primary reason of this sudden rise in the frequency of these so-called

Honour Killings? Why do families kill their own children?

Ans: The major culprit is Refugee Culture. Children are looking for freedom and new values,forsaking their own traditions in the process. At the same time a lot of Jats have settled inthe cities and live in a different environment. Their children follow the same social normsand act accordingly. Yet these people want them to behave like themselves, in a traditional


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manner, in order to preserve their social status. This tendency leads them to take suchdrastic steps against their own children.

Q: What are the major aims of Khap Panchayats in India?

Ans: Khap panchayats have always strived to achieve a society free from social evils. Satisystem has been abolished in Jats since times immemorial. Khap Panchayats have alwaysissued directives to the people of the Khap like abstinence etc. Do you know that Jats areone of the greatest supporters of Widow Remarriage? In our society a widow is entitled tothe same respect that she was given when her husband was alive. Yes, there are cases whenthe in-laws turn bitter towards the widow, but she can always seek the help of panchayats.


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Annexure IIFollowing is an excerpt from an interview of Mr Pankaj Malik, conducted on June 20, 2010over telephone. Mr Pankaj Malik is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradeshfrom Congress party. He is an active member of Indian Youth congress. He is also a face of Jat Youth.

Q: What is basic political issue among Jats?

Ans: Jat Politics is based on Agriculture. This is the first and the last topic. More specifically,the sugarcane prices are a major issue. Many governments have wooed the Jat voters by

announcing a token rise in sugarcane prices but nothing substantial has been done.

Q: On what basis do Jats vote in elections? How does their vote impact the outcome of

legislative processes?

Ans: Till a few years back, Chaudhary Charan Singh was iconic to the whole Jat society buttoday trends have changed. Jats have grown out of the towering memories of ChaudharySahib and rising trends in education have washed away caste politics in most areas. Whatconcerns them, however, is sugar cane prices as sugarcane is the major crop in the area. Jatvoter today is highly aware of the political realities and is not easily swayed by sweetspeeches. If Jats had only voted for Jats then they might not have voted for me as I stoodagainst Jat stalwarts and a major chunk of Jat political activists were not with me. Jats donot ignore the right candidate.

Jat vote is pivotal for a victory in Western U. P. However, here it is scattered, but in HaryanaJats act as united Electorate. Before elections huge panchayats are organised and thecommunity decides for whom to vote.

Q: What has caused this shift in voting patterns?

Ans: In my opinion, Education is the major reason. Jat society is no longer an agrariansociety. It values education and social reform. This education has resulted in peopleunderstanding the value of their vote.

Q: What is the major political aspiration of Jats in todays world?

Ans: Most importantly, Jats want reservation in the Central Institutions. They havereservation in various states Like U.P. and Rajasthan under OBC category, but for a long timethey have sought the same status at the centre. The Congress had organised a massive rally

in Western Uttar Pradesh to bring this issue to the centre stage. Its just that we dont agreewith adopting any unconstitutional measures to meet our demands. We do not agree with


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hampering the water supply of cities. In such a case, only the common man suffers. Nothinghappens to the government.

Q: Recently, there has been a demand for western U.P. to be separated from the rest to

form Harit Pradesh. Do you support this demand?

Ans: Having a separate state is not as feasible as it sounds. Right now, Uttar Pradesh is verywell organised. Administration needs an efficient government. Harit Pradesh is just apolitical propaganda of Lok Dal and Mr Ajit Singh. It is not an issue connected with thecommon man. I represent the people of my constituency. Why should I concentrate onissues irrelevant to them? I would rather spend my time in finding solutions to theirimmediate problems, like irrigation and subsidies.

Q: On the social issues in Jat Society, such as Honour Killings and Khap Panchayats

autonomous decision, what is you view?

Ans: Khap Panchayats are not murderers. Maximum penalty is maybe social boycott, with arequest to leave the village, but that only happens in the most serious cases . These killings areisolated cases that occur within families. They are not to be seen as the representation of the entire communitys views. However, I am against same -Gotra marriages. If one is tohave complete freedom, then should one ma rry ones sister? India is known for its cultureand family values. I do not say that we should not move forward, but is it wisdom to give upyour own culture for a hoax.

There is also a scientific reason for it. Genetic diversity of a species is destroyed if theprevious generation had both parents with similar genes.


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Annexure III

Q: Could you acquaint us with the origins of Jat community?

Ans: The origins of Jats are obscure. Some scholars have claimed that Jats were originallyinhabitants of Afghanistan and came with Alexander the Great to India. There are records of Jat States existing in Jangladesh region, which is the area of northern Rajasthan and SouthWestern Punjab, as has been documented by Colonel Todd in his book, Annals and

Antiquities of Rajasthan-vol. 1 . Some Gotras then converted Islam and Sikhism over time.

Also, recently, there was a research conducted by Leeds University on the genetic relation

between Romanian natives and Pakistani Jats. A similar mutation was found and it wasinferred that the two peoples were related.

Q: What are the major economic activities and employments for Jats?

Ans: Jat society is primarily agrarian. Some have taken to the transport business too. Inrecent years, a lot of children have been admitted to prestigious institutions across thecountry for higher education, like AIIMS and IITs. In fact one of the boys from village Kakra inMuzaffarnagar, Vineet Balyan secured admission to the AIIMs for an MBBS degree with aprestigious rank some years ago and now he has secured top rank in Post graduate Entrance

for the same institute. The topper of the CPMT in 2010, Isha Singh is another gem of ourcommunity.

Q: What is your view on social structure of the Jat society? What in your opinion is the

relevance of Khap Panchayats in this society?

Ans: Jats are divided into Khaps or Gotras. Every member of a Gotra is like your sibling oraunt or grand aunt-uncle, and so on. Thus they are one big family.

Khap panchayats are the governing bodies of their respective Khaps. They are older than our

constitution. They governed us for centuries before Lex Loci was even conceptualized. SocialIssues are settled at the Khap Panchayat. In fact various social evils have been tackled byKhap Panchayats. Dowry, alcoholism and Widow Remarriage have been some recent ones.Sati System was also heavily discouraged many decades ago and it is virtually inexistent inJat Society. Girls Education is also favoured strongly . Several Institutions like Jan Vidya InterCollege in Baraut and Agricultural Science College in Bulandshahar have been landmarkinstitutions established as part of the communitys efforts to spread literacy. EvenChaudhary Chhotu Ram College in Muzaffarnagar is a charity institution established by thecommunity.


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Documents

Pranjal - Sociology Project