Demonstrations in support of a university and rail connectivity with Delhi have gathered momentum in Nuh, the most backward region of Haryana, with just two days ahead of the Union Budget on Thursday.
Agitations are being held in different parts of the district, mostly inhabited by Meo Muslims, for the past two months in support of these demands.
A large number of people, including lawyers and social activists, took out a march in Pinangwan town of Nuh’s Punhana block over the weekend in support of the twin demands. The march was taken out following a public meeting under the aegis of Hamara Adhikar Morcha (HAM), a social organisation that is spearheading the campaign.
Demonstrators held banners and placards, and also raised slogans in support of their demands. The office-bearers of Mewat Caravan, Mewat Vikas Sabha and several political parties were also present.
‘Politicising demands’
Accusing all political parties of politicising the two demands, HAM convenor and former district councillor Mohammad Younus Alvi said the local youth were awake now and that the government must fulfil these long-pending demands. He said that all districts of Haryana had universities except Nuh.
Welcoming the recent announcement by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to connect Nuh with Delhi through a rail line soon, former Mewat Vikas Sabha president Deen Mohammad expressed hope that the demand will be met in the upcoming Union Budget.
The demand for a university in Nuh was first raised by MP Chaudhary Rahim Khan in 1983.
Nuh has a high dropout rate and low literacy rate. It is argued that setting up of the university will benefit over 60 lakh residents of the Mewat region, which is spread across Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Similarly, lack of rail connectivity with Delhi has hit the locals, most of the whom are farmers and rear animals, financially. They believe that rail connectivity will prove to be a milestone in the development of the region and help the farmers reach out to bigger markets and also generate employment opportunities for them.
