The 451-page report on the violent Jat agitation in Haryana ripped through the state administration. It stated that the home department was a washout, the director general of police failed to lead from the front and the additional chief secretary (home) could not produce even one page of directions he may have issued to deputy commissioners. The report by the Prakash Singh Committee stops short of blaming Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, but holds previous chief ministers responsible for the tendency to centralise all powers in their office. The police refused to take any action against the rioters because they were not confident the government would back their action. The report also states that the police force was divided on the basis of caste and that could have emboldened the rioters. It paints a picture of complete breakdown of government machinery and the chief minister will have to take responsibility for it, even though the report shields him. The agitation was brought under control by the army and a promise by the government to give in to the demand for reservation. The reluctance of the government to act against agitators, in a way, legitimises use of violence which could have grave consequences for democracy.
