As the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections draw near, the state’s political discourse has intensified, with voters increasingly comparing the current government to the previous administrations led by the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) under Om Prakash Chautala. These former regimes are often remembered for high levels of crime, corruption, and injustice, particularly in relation to Dalits and women, who faced severe violence and discrimination.
During Congress’s rule, one of the most notorious incidents was the 2010 Mirchpur attack, where Dalit families were brutally targeted, leading to the deaths of a 70-year-old man and his disabled daughter. This event highlighted the Congress government’s perceived indifference toward the Dalit community’s plight. Under Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s administration, the conditions of Scheduled Castes (SCs) were described as alarming, with a lack of serious investigations or convictions under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Crimes against women from the SC community also surged, further exposing systemic issues.
The Congress government’s record on women’s safety was also criticized, particularly following the 2012 Manohar Singh rape and murder case. The state’s law and order situation deteriorated, with a rise in gang rapes, dowry deaths, and domestic violence cases. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data showed a marked increase in these crimes between 2010 and 2014. Public outrage grew, particularly after Congress spokesperson Dharambir Goyat made a controversial statement suggesting that many rape cases involved consensual relationships, a comment that was seen as dismissive of women’s safety and dignity.
Similarly, the Chautala family’s rule in Haryana, under the INLD, was marred by accusations of lawlessness and corruption. Both the Congress and Chautala administrations are criticized for failing to address crime and justice issues effectively, with vulnerable communities, particularly Dalits and women, suffering the most during their rule.
As the 2024 elections approach, voters reflect on the legacies of these previous governments, contrasting them with the current administration’s performance in maintaining law and order.
