Congress is getting ready to snatch the lands of Jatt Sikhs through a District Collector order

Punjab Congress is gradually heading towards its complete failure in the state. Given the turmoil, infights, and other developments in the aged-old party since the last few months, the party’s decisions have reflected badly on its stature in the state. Nearing the Punjab Assembly elections, the Congress party is back with another poor decision, which could make them lose the state elections. In a recent development, the Punjab Government has directed all DCs to prepare a list of those with land beyond permissible limits.

Congress’ all set to snatch lands of Jatt Sikhs:

The Punjab Government has asked all DCs to prepare a list of all the owners having land beyond the limit of 17.5 standard acres of chahi (land that depends on wells for irrigation) to 52 standard acres of banjar (wasteland) as prescribed under the Land Ceiling Act, 1972. The orders, issued by the Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Department reads “Charanjit Singh Channi has sought a report of all those holding land beyond the permissible limit, and this list should be sent to the department immediately.”

The development comes after the demand for getting surplus land with upper-caste (Jatt Sikh) landowners was raised in a meeting between the CM Charanjit Singh Channi, the Pendu, and Khet Mazdoor Union. It was asserted in the meeting that Dalits, who comprised 33 per cent of the state population, own just two per cent of the land. However, in some cases, the members of families with large landholdings have divided it among themselves, thus, they cannot be accused. 

As soon as the orders were issued, the matter was taken to the ministers and the Congress office-bearers from the community.

A setback for the party:

The order will have political ramifications for the party as there exists a large faction of Jatt Sikhs with large landholdings. Interestingly, Congress who encashes considerable votes from Jat Sikhs has shown its back to its vote bank and that too, a few months ahead of assembly elections. However, the miffed Jat Sikhs will go along with ex-CM of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh as the latter has recently floated his own party.

Read more: What if Amarinder Singh floats a new party?

As reported extensively by TFI, Captain would be able to grab a major share of the Dalit Sikh votes as he has floated his own party now, which could harm the INC. 

At a time when Congress needed to make strategies to sweep the state, it is snatching the lands of Jatt Sikhs. Now, the party’s complete failure in Punjab is guaranteed.