Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Panipat, December 6

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today assured “gau rakshaks” (cow protectors) of revoking cases registered against them.

This comes after the state introduced the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015.

Khattar gave the assurance during a state-level Arya Yuva Mahasammelan at Arya Bal Bharti School here after “gau rakshaks” urged him to do so.

Khattar lauded the contribution of Arya Samaj to freedom struggle. “The Arya Samaj played a significant role in the Independence movement and promotion of the Indian culture, besides helping the country achieve the status of ‘jagat guru’ in education.”

He urged all educational institutions run by the Arya Samaj to adopt government schools to provide quality education and raise the standard of education.

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was criticised for his reported remark that the government had been playing vindictive politics. “The government has been investigating into the irregularities of the previous governments without targeting anyone and working to streamline the system,” the Chief Minister said.

He praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its patriotism. “Patriotism is above everything and all should work by rising above personal interests. The RSS has been doing this efficiently. Like the Arya Samaj, it focuses on yoga, patriotism and issues affecting the country. I was fortunate to join the RSS in 1977.”

The government, Khattar said, was always making efforts to promote programmes pertaining to cleanliness, de-addiction, character building, female foeticide, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and cow protection. He urged the youths to support the government in its initiatives.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat said steps taken by the Haryana Government would bear fruit soon.

Concerned about the degradation of moral values, he said the youths had been violating moral values after being influenced by the Western culture.

He asked the CM to initiate a drive against drugs, as Himachal had done.

The Chief Minister, meanwhile, laid the foundation stone of Rani Laxmi Bai sports stadium in Arya Bal Bharti School and announced Rs 21 lakh for the expansion of educational institutes.