The political landscape in Haryana has been ignited by provocative remarks from Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) president Ajay Singh Chautala, who called upon the youth to forcibly remove those in power, drawing parallels with recent political upheavals in neighbouring nations. The comments, made at a public gathering, have triggered a fierce backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), labelling them as dangerous for democracy.
The Incendiary Speech in Mahendragarh
Addressing a crowd in Mahendragarh on December 28, 2025, Ajay Chautala, father of former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, declared that the time for change had arrived. He urged the public, especially the youth, to organise and unite to bring about this transformation. Chautala explicitly pointed to events in South Asia as a model for action.
"When that opportunity comes, just like in our neighbouring countries... youths overthrew the government there and forced them to flee overnight," Chautala stated. He specifically cited the examples of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where mass movements led to the ousting of political leaders.
He went further, advocating for similar treatment for Indian rulers: "The same way these rulers will have to be dragged from their chairs, chased down on streets, beaten and forced to leave the country." He argued that this was the only way to end what he termed as misgovernance.
BJP's Sharp Condemnation and Counterattack
The reaction from the BJP, a former ally of the JJP, was swift and severe. The party condemned Chautala's language as "inappropriate and dangerous in a democratic system." Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli led the charge, terming the remarks "illogical, shameful and aimed at creating an atmosphere of anarchy."
Badoli accused Chautala of having lost faith in democratic processes and acting out of political frustration. "Chautala should apologise to the people of the state for his remarks," he demanded. The BJP leader asserted that the JJP president was "unable to accept" the BJP's model of governance and was deliberately trying to incite chaos in Haryana and the country.
He also criticised Chautala for referencing situations in other nations, calling it an attempt to provoke people and destabilise the democratic order. In a personal dig, Badoli said such statements hurt the dignity of Chautala's grandfather and former deputy prime minister, Devi Lal.
Deepening Political Rift in Haryana
Other BJP leaders joined the criticism. Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij said the remarks showed Chautala had no faith in India's democratic system and had lost confidence in his own party. He alleged the JJP leader was trying to provoke the youth out of a sense of political helplessness and desperation.
The controversy underscores the deep political rivalry that has developed since the collapse of the BJP-JJP alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. The partnership, formed in 2019, ended acrimoniously, turning the parties into direct competitors who frequently trade barbs over governance and credibility.
In his speech, Chautala also targeted the Congress, alleging it was functioning as the "B team" of the ruling dispensation, thereby failing in its role as the principal opposition party. This multi-pronged attack highlights the JJP's strategy to position itself as the most vocal critic of both national and state-level opponents.
As the war of words intensifies, the political discourse in Haryana remains charged, with the BJP firmly defending the sanctity of democratic institutions and the JJP ramping up its rhetoric against the incumbent government.
