Madrasas ‘opting for modern education’ will get annual financial aid: Khattar

He was speaking at an event to commemorate the martyrdom of Hasan Khan Mewati, a 16th-Century ruler from Rajasthan’s Alwar.

Khattar also announced a slew of projects worth around Rs 700 crore for Nuh.

Emphasising on “Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek” — which the CM has been using to highlight “equitable development” in the state — Khattar said the previous governments had exploited the people of Mewat by considering them solely as a vote bank. Khattar claimed that his government had launched several development initiatives in the region despite having no BJP MLA from the region.

“Any CM would have made only 5-6 visits to Mewat during his tenure. However, I have visited the region 11 times in nine years. Insha Allah, I will visit Mewat again soon,” he said.

The CM also provided virtual appointment letters to 1,504 local youths in teaching positions under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. He said colleges in Punhana and Firozpur Jhirka would be started soon.

Stating that no government has celebrated Hasan Khan Mewati, who fought Mughal king Babur, Khattar said a research chair will be established in the name of the king at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Medical College, Nalhar.

He also unveiled statues of Hasan Khan and Mahatma Gandhi. He also announced a sports stadium in the village. “External elements are seeking to disrupt the unity of Mewat’s community and residents should uphold the spirit of brotherhood, drawing inspiration from the patriotism of Shaheed Raja Hasan Khan Mewati,” he said.

More than a thousand people were present at the event held at Badkali Chowk and were ferried to the spot by several Haryana Roadways buses. Boarding one such bus, Azam Khan (45), a labourer from Basai in Nuh, said the sarpanch of his village asked them to go to the rally. “The sarpanch said they needed people and we attended. No one forced us to come…,” he said.

Another labourer, Abdullah Khan (35), said the fact that Hasan Khan’s name came up was surprising. “Rallies have taken place before, but this is the first time the CM has spoken about it. Otherwise, Mewatis are called Pakistanis, and today, Hasan Khan’s martyrdom is celebrated,” he added.

Walim Mohammad, a former Haryana Police officer, said Khattar has brought unprecedented development to the state.

Mohammed Saad (50), who lives in Bhadas, said the projects announced by the CM were promised earlier. He added that the Congress had also tried to tap the sentiments of Mewatis by constructing a medical college in Nalhar and naming it after Hasan Khan. “The hospital does not provide advanced services, it mostly refers patients to hospitals in Gurgaon,” he said.