Amid protests by rival political parties across Haryana in the case of alleged stalking of a woman by State BJP president Subhash Barala's son Vikas and his friend Ashish on a road in Chandigarh, a khap (community organisation representing a clan or a group of related clans) has come out in support of the woman seeking strict action against the accused.
The Kundu khap leaders have threatened to intensify an agitation if no concrete action is taken on the issue by August 16.
A large number of residents of Titoli village, along with those of the neighbouring Sunderpur and Sisroli villages, blocked the Jind-Rohtak highway on Tuesday afternoon, expressing solidarity with the woman and seeking strict legal action.
Virender Kundu, a protester, said “The family of the victim belongs to the Kundu clan and her ancestors belong to Titoli village. So she is our daughter, we want justice for her. It seems the government is trying to cover up because the accused belongs to an influential family.”
Another protester, Rajesh, said that it was not just the members of the Kundu clan, but members of all 36 communities had come out in support of the victim and were committed to continue their fight till the justice was done to her. “It is not about a girl belonging to a particular community or a clan, it concerns all girls and women. So the members of all the communities came out in her support. We too have girls who go to schools and colleges. It can happen to them as well. If the accused go scot-free, it will set a wrong precedent,” he said.
Senior officials reached the spot and persuaded the villagers to lift the blockade.
Superintendent of Police, Rohtak, Pankaj Nain, said the blockade lasted for around 30 minutes and a case was registered against the protesters under the relevant Sections of the IPC.
Vikas and Ashish allegedly stalked the woman, a disc jockey, when she was returning home in the early hours of August 5 in their sport utility vehicle and blocked her way twice. The duo was later arrested and let off on bail.