This was reflected in the resolutions demanding the scrapping of the four labor codes, extension of wages under MNREGA, implementation of Forest Rights Act, against atrocities on women and curbing of price rise of diesel, petrol and essential commodities.
The Muzaffarnagar rally was notable not only for its massive participation, but there was another political significance. Eight years ago, in 2013, Muzaffarnagar district was engulfed in communal violence and over 80 people lost their lives, many women were raped and hundreds of houses destroyed. The communal divide this created, particularly between the dominant peasant community of Jats and Muslims, was fully utilised by the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP swept the elections in western Uttar Pradesh and the communal polarisation had its impact in Haryana and parts of Rajasthan.
At that time too, a “mahapanchayat” was held on September 7, 2013 in Sikhara village, near Muzaffarnagar town in which khap leaders like Naresh Tikait and Rakesh Tikait had participated. BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana and rabble rousers like Sadhvi Prachi had made incendiary speeches against Muslims and this provocative meeting had sparked off a wider conflagration.