Events in Haryana As an observer, I feel an All-Party Conference, comprising progressive elements from all parties, should be set up to deal

with recent events in Haryana. This should concern itself with measures to counter the increasing incidents of crimes against women, atrocities against dalits, the deteriorating labour relations in Haryana, the rampant corruption and the social arrogance of the khap panchayats. I notice that some of those who have led recent mobilisations in the country tend to neglect many retrograde developments in their own home states. Anna Hazare, for instance, has seemed to wink at many of the doings of Thackeray and his offshoots in Maharashtra and does not appear to have said anything significant about the attacks on non-Maharashtrians there. Solid progressive movements must be rooted in the sense of not overlooking reactionary tendencies in one's immediate surroundings. October 17, 2012