Hansi: The Aam Aadmi Party has termed the midnight lathi-charge and use of tear gas against villagers demanding water in Hansi's Chanaut village as utterly shameful and an attack on democracy. In a statement issued to the press, the party's Hansi District President, Rajendra Sorkhi, said that the BJP government of Haryana and Chief Minister Nayab Singh are failing to fulfill even a basic necessity like water. When the villagers demand the water that is rightfully theirs, the government resorts to using batons instead of resolving the issue.
He remarked that it is beyond comprehension how Chief Minister Nayab Singh is unable to handle even such a minor matter. For the past 40 days, villagers have been peacefully demanding their rightful share of water. People across the state are struggling for every drop; taps have run dry in many areas for 10–15 days, and farmers are grappling with an irrigation crisis. Yet, instead of seeking solutions, the government is intent on intimidating and suppressing the public.
He questioned why it was necessary to enter Chanaut village at 1:30 AM with the police, administration, JCB machines, and a heavy security force. If the government had a solution, why wasn't a dialogue held during the day? Taking action against women, the elderly, and farmers under the cover of darkness proves that the government fears the exposure of its own failure rather than the people themselves.
Rajendra Sorkhi stated that it is a habit of the BJP government to send the police whenever the public speaks up for its rights. This happened with farmers, then with employees, and now the same is being done to villagers demanding water. The government has failed to provide amenities to the public but is at the forefront of ordering lathi-charges.
He added that while Chief Minister Nayab Singh constantly claims that Haryana is developing, the ground reality is that people are wandering from pillar to post in search of drinking water. Villages are relying on water tankers to get by. Many panchayats are forced to arrange for water at their own expense. This is one of the biggest administrative failures of the BJP government. Rajendra Sorkhi stated that the brutal crackdown in Chanaut village clearly demonstrates that the Nayab government has no intention of listening to the public's grievances. A government that fails to provide water and resorts to lathi-charges when questioned has no right to call itself a government of the people.
He demanded that Chief Minister Nayab Singh immediately apologize to the residents—including women and the elderly—of Chanaut village, take action against the guilty officials, and find a permanent solution to the Bhakra water issue. The Aam Aadmi Party stands firmly with the farmers and villagers; if necessary, a massive state-wide agitation will be launched against this anti-people and dictatorial attitude.