Private Saharanpur army was largely kept out of focus

What was new there was existence of a major private army. In the traditional sense, therefore, it was a news. But, most of the newspapers and news channels highlighted the atrocities and did not attach to it the importance it deserved.

More than a dozen private armies exist in BIhar. The first such outfit, according to Google, was the Kuer Sena , formed by a dominant upper caste-- Rajput. Early 80's saw many more such caste armies in the state. They were formed in some parts to fight against the Naxalites who had chosen Bihar after West Bengal to spread their areas of operation. So, creation of a new private army in that state is no news.

In Uttar Pradesh it is. For, there had been no report of existence of any major private army in the state prior to Saharanpur clashes. Ram Briksh Yadav too had raised a private army in the state called Swadeshi Bharat Subhash Sena but, unlike Saharanpur Sena, its activities were confined to a small Jawaharbag area in Mathura district. Still, most of the journalists chose to highlight the atrocities committed against the Dalits and not formation of an army by them.

Named Bhim Sena, this private army was created two years ago after the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre . As it came into being a year after the party assumed power it is generally believed that the main purpose behind was to check the party from enlarging its footprint in the state.

It may have something to do with militant Rajputs in some villages but not in all parts of the district because it is not dominated by this caste but Dalits and Muslims. Whatever may be the reason behind its formation the fact is that creation of a private army is illegal and it should have been condemned by one and all in no uncertain terms. In fact, it should have been in focus more than anything else.

The reports that some Muslims and left groups were in touch with it and had made a move to join hands are equally disturbing. All these developments were either missed or largely ignored.The BJP which is spreading its wings fast and has got a two-thirds majority in the state acted rather quickly and took action against commissioner and some other top officials but it was not paid much attention.

It is not to suggest that whatever it does should be highlighted but, to be fair, if it does something good it should receive as much attention as something bad it does,.The Sena was formed before it assumed power in the state and so the previous government has to be blamed for its continued existence.

It is not yet clear who has funded it but there appears to be some rich men behind as the account held by its founder Chandrashekhar Azad is reported to have got a huge balance. There are also stories that Hawala route was used for funding which too merits a deeper probe. The arrest of the founder of this Sena may lead to many other disclosures.

Saharanpur assembly seat has been won this year by the Congress because of its alliance with the Samajwadi Party but it was bagged by the Bahujan Samaj Party in the previous poll. The BJP ha won three out of the total seven assembly seats in the district in recent elections but it was mainly because of Modi under-current.

The SP and the BSP were a bigger force in the area. These parties are not as influential now but not because of the BJP but because of their own wrong doings. If a Sena was formed and went unchecked one of them has to share the blame. The BJP cannot be blamed for past misdeeds. As to whether it is a good alternative, it is too early to pass a judgement. The government led by the party is less than three-month old.