Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed pledges anti-cow lynching law in Haryana.
Aftab Ahmed, aged 58, is contesting the Haryana Assembly elections from the Nuh constituency, facing a formidable challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Sanjay Singh, the incumbent MLA from the Sohna constituency. The election race has also drawn attention with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) fielding Tahir Hussain as a candidate. Ahmed’s campaign focuses on addressing significant issues in the region, including his promise to introduce an anti-cow lynching law, reflecting growing concerns about cow-related violence in the state. His stance aims to resonate with voters seeking enhanced protections and accountability in local governance.
Nuh is witnessing a heated election campaign as Aftab Ahmed, the Congress candidate and deputy leader of the opposition in the outgoing Haryana Assembly, seeks re-election from the Muslim-dominated constituency. Ahmed’s platform includes a strong commitment to implementing a law against lynching in the name of cow protection and initiating a judicial inquiry into the communal violence that shook the district last year. His promises resonate deeply with voters who have been affected by these pressing issues.
Ahmed emphasizes that the communal violence, which led to the loss of six lives, including two home guards and a cleric, could have been averted. He alleges that there were warnings about potential unrest, which he communicated to the administration. However, he claims that the authorities failed to take adequate precautions, resulting in not only loss of life and property but also eroding the community’s faith in governance. “The communal violence that rocked Nuh district last year was due to the BJP’s propagation of anti-social elements under the guise of ‘gau rakshaks.’ They created a fear psychosis that charged up the atmosphere,” Ahmed explained in an interview with PTI.
The violence erupted during an attempt to halt a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession and quickly spread to Gurugram, leading to widespread unrest. Ahmed pointed out that only 300 policemen were deployed along the route despite the warnings about potential threats from both sides. “They let it happen,” he stated, expressing frustration with the government’s lack of action. He further called for a judicial inquiry to investigate the officers responsible and understand the causes of the violence, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond loss of lives and property—it is also about restoring the faith of the people in their governance.
Ahmed’s concerns are rooted in the aftermath of the violence, where many homes belonging to innocent individuals were demolished, exacerbating an already tense situation. He highlighted that thousands of structures belonging to poor people were destroyed, even though they were not involved in the violence. This situation was made worse by the imposition of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Congress MLA Mamman Khan. It was not just about the loss of lives and property, but also the faith amongst people,” Ahmed asserted.
In response to the ongoing issues of cow vigilantism, Ahmed vowed, “We will bring a law against lynching in the name of cow protection.” He expressed optimism about the community’s ability to see through the BJP’s tactics, noting that after the violence, there were no further incidents, and people recognized the importance of living in harmony.
As he competes against the BJP’s Sanjay Singh, the sitting MLA from the Sohna constituency, and the Indian National Lok Dal’s (INLD) Tahir Hussain, Ahmed faces a competitive election landscape. Hussain, the son of Zakir Hussain, a three-time MLA from the constituency and chairperson of the Haryana Waqf Board, recently joined the INLD. Historically, Nuh has supported Congress and INLD, and the BJP has never won in this constituency. Interestingly, Nuh is the only constituency in the Muslim-majority district where the BJP has not fielded a Muslim candidate, reflecting the complex dynamics at play.
The constituency itself was established as a separate district in 2005, carved out from parts of Gurgaon and Faridabad. It comprises three assembly constituencies: Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka, and Punhana. Residents of Nuh, characterized as economically and educationally backward, are calling for improved infrastructure, including the establishment of a university. Persistent issues such as chronic water shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, and a high unemployment rate are significant concerns for voters in the district.
Addressing the role of anti-social elements, Ahmed remarked, “These groups, cloaked as cow protectors, have disturbed the peace and harmony of this area. They act as though they are above the law, taking matters into their own hands, with perceived backing from the BJP.” He stressed that while cow vigilantism is an important issue in the election discourse, the overarching theme remains the lack of development in the area, which he claims has been halted by the ruling party despite Nuh being declared an aspirational district.
The assembly polls in Haryana are scheduled for October 5, with results to be announced on October 8. As Ahmed campaigns vigorously, his promises resonate with the electorate’s pressing concerns, setting the stage for a potentially transformative election in Nuh.