Hissar 30th May The reservation caravan rolled into Haryana, the land of patriarchy, last night. Amid the shrill row over khap panchayats, honor killings, the reservation caravan, with its entry was like a breath of fresh air.

We were hosted by several groups, including Hissar’s Vasstavikta Gyan Vigyan Samiti. We met at the Jat Dharamshala this morning – a group of 60-70 in the audience – to talk about women’s reservation.

The two-hour meeting began with young girls and boys singing. All of us felt an ache in our hearts listening to a 10-year-old boy singing about a girl asking why was she married off when she was barely 15 years old. Dr Anil Panikkar of Vaastavikta Samiti introduced the caravan. Mansi, Anhad introduced its members, Amrita dwelt on the reasons constructed for opposing reservations.

The group included Vice President of Delhi, NFIW and concerned citizens including doctors who spoke about rampant female foeticide.

Media presence was feeble at the meeting.

The reservation caravan on the North West route will be in Jalandhar tomorrow.