(From August 2016 to the people: The voice of Siwani Mandi and the question of district reorganization, a slogan, an idea, and the question of the future of Siwani.)
In a democratic system, administrative boundaries are not set in stone. They are periodically redefined to suit public convenience, socio-economic realities, and regional balance. When an administrative structure consistently causes inconvenience to the public, its reconsideration becomes not only necessary but also a test of governance sensitivity. The demand for the Siwani Mandi subdivision to be separated from the Bhiwani district and incorporated into the Hisar district stems from this democratic conscience and public interest. This demand is neither a sudden development nor a product of the political climate. It is a quiet, organized, and rational public movement that has been ongoing for over a decade, deeply rooted in the geographical, social, economic, and administrative realities of the Siwani region.
Start of the movement: August 2016
The movement formally began in August 2016, when six conscious citizens—Badwa’s prominent social activist Mahendra Lakhera, Sunil Singhmar (Advocate), Lal Singh ‘Lalu’, Dr. Satyawan Saurabh, Surendra Bhukkal, and Mukesh Bhukkal—joined forces to elevate the issue from a personal inconvenience to a public one. Perhaps no one imagined at the time that this initiative would become the voice of Siwani’s collective consciousness in the years to come. Initially, the struggle was limited to a few meetings, memorandums, and discussions, but as ordinary people began to see their everyday problems connected to this demand, the movement’s scope expanded. Today, nearly ten years later, this campaign has become the voice of the entire Siwani subdivision, not just a committee or individual.
Geographical truth: the difference between the map and the ground
The first and most solid basis for the administrative affiliation of any district or subdivision is its geographical location. On this criterion, Siwani’s connection with Bhiwani appears weak, while its connection with Hisar appears quite natural. For example, the distance from Barwa to Hisar is approximately 25 kilometers, while the distance to Bhiwani is approximately 70 kilometers. This difference is not only a matter of kilometers, but also of time, labor, and resources. To reach Bhiwani, people from many villages in the Siwani area have to change two to three buses, while there is usually only one direct bus available to Hisar. This difference is extremely significant for the common citizen, who is already under mental stress due to the hassle of visiting government offices, hospitals, or courts.
Transportation: Convenience vs. Compulsion
Transportation is the lifeline of any region. In the context of the Siwani subdivision, this lifeline clearly flows towards Hisar. Buses and other modes of transport are available to Hisar every 10–15 minutes. In contrast, waiting times for Bhiwani can sometimes be up to an hour or more. As a result, it becomes nearly impossible for the average person to travel to Bhiwani to complete office work and return home the same day. One day’s work is stretched into two days, resulting in not only a loss of time and money but also an additional burden on the working class, farmers, and traders.
Administrative and practical dependence
In practical life, the Siwani region depends not on Bhiwani but on Hisar. For higher education institutions, major hospitals, specialized medical facilities, major markets, employment opportunities, and judicial institutions, the citizens of Siwani naturally look to Hisar. This situation creates a paradox: administrative orders are administered from Bhiwani, but the necessities of life are met from Hisar. This imbalance has caused inconvenience to the public for years.
Social and cultural harmony
Siwani’s social and cultural fabric also closely resembles that of Hisar. Family ties, business connections, educational exchanges, and social participation—all of these areas—lead to Siwani’s deeper connection with Hisar. This similarity is also evident in folk life, language, and social behavior. If administrative boundaries are drawn contrary to social realities, they become obstacles rather than conveniences for the public. This situation has persisted in Siwani for years.
The role of the slogan: identifying the idea
Every major mass movement needs a phrase that captures its entire spirit in a few words. The Siwani movement gained recognition through its slogan—
“We are refusing Bhiwani; we want the Hisar district.”
This slogan, penned by Dr. Satyavan Saurabh, gradually became the movement’s ideological identity. It wasn’t merely an emotional proclamation, but a concise yet precise statement of the geographical reality, administrative logic, and public aspirations of the Siwani region. This slogan reached every village, hamlet, and community center, becoming a common refrain.
Calm, democratic, and sustained struggle
An important characteristic of this movement is that it never became violent or divisive. Memoranda, meetings, dialogues, rallies, and peaceful means were used to convey their views to the government. This is why the movement was not limited to any one group, but became a common demand of all—farmers, businessmen, youth, women, workers, and social organizations. The continuity of ten years proves that this issue demands a permanent solution, not a temporary one.
A balanced view of the constituency
As far as political representation is concerned, the movement’s demands are balanced and practical. It is clearly stated that the Siwani subdivision should remain as it is, and the assembly constituency should also be formed in the name of Siwani. This will neither harm regional identity nor disrupt administrative balance.
Criteria for the government
Today, when governments advocate principles like “ease of living” and “ease of governance,” the Siwani issue poses a real test. If administrative decisions fail to alleviate the everyday hardships of the public, the courage to change them is the hallmark of good governance.
The collective aspiration of a region
This quiet, organized, and people-based struggle of nearly ten years clearly indicates that Siwani’s demand is not the responsibility of any individual, committee, or organization, but rather the collective aspiration of an entire region. This is no longer a question of Bhiwani or Hisar alone, but rather of administrative discretion and public sensitivity. This is an opportunity for the government to grant Siwani administrative affiliation consistent with its geographical and social reality, sending the message that in a democracy, the voice of the people is heard.
We refuse Bhiwani, we want Hisar district – today this is not just a slogan, but a declaration of the future of Siwani.
