India: The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) political party, including its origins, leadership, structure, objectives, and activities; requirements and procedures to become a member, including obtaining membership cards; whether attestation letters are issued; samples; treatment of party members and supporters by authorities (2024–April 2026)
1. Overview and Origins
The INLD party was founded in 1996 by politician Devi Lal (Political Handbook of the World 2025, 69; Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12; researcher 2026-02-13). Though officially established as the Haryana Lok Dal, it has become known as the INLD (Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12; Political Handbook of the World 2025, 69). The Encyclopædia Britannica entry on the INLD, written by a research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, describes it as a "regional political party" based in Haryana state with "limited presence" in national politics, noting that its "power base has been principally in the traditional Jat [1] heartland in central and west-central Haryana" (2024-12-12).
Sources note that, since its creation, the party has been led by Lal and his family (Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12; researcher 2026-02-13) and members of the family "hold key positions within the party" (Researcher 2026-02-13). Sources indicate that Lal was succeeded as leader by his son, Om Prakash Chautala (Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12; researcher 2026-02-13). With Chautala serving as Chief Minister, the INLD governed Haryana state from 2000 to 2005 in coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (Political Handbook of the World 2025, 69; Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12).
According to India Today, an English-language weekly news magazine, Om Prakash Chautala, who died in December 2024, incurred "numerous allegations and corruption charges" throughout his career (2024-12-20). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a researcher of political science at [the research university (Sciences Po n.d.)] Sciences Po in Paris, who focuses on party politics in India, noted that the Chautala family has faced "legal troubles" and been involved in criminal activity (Researcher 2026-02-13). In 2013, Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay Singh Chautala were convicted in a corruption case related to teacher recruitment (Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12; researcher 2026-02-13; PTI 2019-11-26) and sentenced to 10 years in prison (PTI 2019-11-26; researcher 2026-02-13).
According to the Hindu, an English-language daily newspaper in India, the INLD party fractured in 2018 when INLD members broke away to form the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) (2024-06-05). The Press Trust of India (PTI), a news agency in India, notes that the split came after a "power struggle" between Om Prakash Chautala's sons, Ajay and Abhay Singh Chautala, in which Om Prakash supported Abhay; Ajay and Ajay's sons, Dushyant and Digvijay Chautala, were "exp[elled]" from the party (2018-12-09).
The Hindu states that the INLD was a "force to reckon with" in Haryana state until the split (2024-06-05). Encyclopædia Britannica notes that since the split, INLD's election results have become "dismal" (2024-12-12). Similarly, media sources indicate that post-2018, the party was relegated to the "political margins" (The Tribune 2025-07-25) or experienced a "consistent decline" (Hindustan Times 2024-08-31). The researcher stated, however, that the party's "decline" dates back as far as 2005, and is due in part to the party's base becoming "restricted" to Jats, who are not numerous enough to be "politically dominant" (2026-02-13).
In 2024, the INLD won 2 of 90 seats in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, and 1 in 2019 (ThePrint 2025-09-16; PRS 2024-10-08). Sources indicate that the INLD did not win any seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the national Parliament, in 2019 or 2024 (Political Handbook of the World 2025, 69; Encyclopædia Britannica 2024-12-12).
2. Leadership and Structure
2.1. Leadership
In 2025, the INLD parliamentary committee appointed Abhay Singh Chautala to the position of National President (The Print 2025-03-27; The Tribune 2025-03-26).
The Times of India (TOI) daily newspaper notes that Abhay's sons, Karan and Arjun Chautala, lead the youth wing and student wing, respectively (2025-11-05). The same source further notes that Sunaina Chautala, Abhay's wife's cousin, leads the women's wing, and that Arjun Chautala and Aditya Chautala [also known as Aditya Devilal], Abhay's cousins, were elected to the [Haryana State] assembly in 2024 on behalf of the party (TOI 2025-11-05). The Tribune, an English-language newspaper based in Chandigarh, states that Aditya, previously a BJP district president, moved to the INLD party in 2024 (2024-09-09).
PTI describes the INLD parliamentary affairs committee leadership as follows: Abhay Singh Chautala as chairman, and Sher Singh Badshahmi [Badshami, Barshami], Prakash Bharti, Rampal Majra, RS Chaudhary [Choudhary], MS Malik and Kamal Nagpal as committee members (2025-03-25).
Sources note the following individuals as leaders of the INLD at the national level:
- RS Chaudhary and Sher Singh Badshahmi, senior vice presidents;
- Krishna Kumar Jalan, Anju Chaudhary and OP Chaudhary, vice presidents (ThePrint 2025-03-27; The Tribune 2025-03-26).
A 2026 article by the Tribune indicates that Nachhattar Singh Malhan is the party secretary (2026-04-23).
The Tribune identifies the following additional individuals as INLD national leaders:
- Inder Singh Nara, Ramesh Garg and Sumitra Devi, general secretaries;
- Chattar Singh, Balwant Mayna and Narendra Verma, secretaries;
- Umed Lohan, organization secretary;
- Rambhagat Gupta, treasurer;
- Ashwini Dutta, spokesperson;
- Chattar Singh Kashyap and Ramkumar Nambardar, national executive members (2025-03-26).
Media sources list the following individuals as regional presidents:
- Ramphal Majra, Haryana;
- Samar Pal Choudhary [Samarpal Chaudhary], Uttar Pradesh;
- Motilal, Madhya Pradesh;
- Jaiveer Godara, Rajasthan;
- Hari Singh Rana, Delhi;
- Gurteg Singh Wander, Punjab;
- Virendra Pehal, Himachal Pradesh (ThePrint 2025-03-27; The Tribune 2025-03-26)
ThePrint, an online news platform in India (ThePrint n.d.), indicates that in Haryana, Pratap Singh is appointed to the role of principal general secretary (ThePrint 2025-03-27).
2.2. Structure
Sources state that the INLD has presidents at the national, state and district level (Hindustan Times 2025-04-11; ThePrint 2025-03-27). An article by the Tribune on the INLD in Karnal district in Haryana notes the appointment of block [2] presidents in that district (2025-06-30).
ThePrint indicates that the national president, Abhay Singh Chautala, was appointed by the parliamentary working committee (2025-03-27). According to the Hindustan Times, national and state-level executives were appointed by INLD leadership (2025-04-11). The researcher indicated that any appointments are made in a "top-down manner" and "without institutional rules or procedures" (2026-02-13). The Tribune cites a senior INLD leader as stating that Abhay Singh Chautala has the right to appoint other INLD leaders (2025-03-26).
The Tribune cites the INLD Sirsa district president as stating that district-level wings exist in Sirsa, including a "general body," as well as committees for specific social groups, including women, farmers, and scheduled castes (2025-07-25). The Tribune article on the INLD in Karnal district indicates that executives at the district level were appointed, including the president, senior vice-president, vice-presidents, general secretaries, and secretaries (2025-06-30).
3. Objectives and Activities
The researcher noted that the INLD "stands for the interests of a particular agrarian community, the Jats," who have had "a dominant social, economic and political presence in Haryana" (2026-02-13). According to the INLD party website, the party focuses on farmers' welfare, youth empowerment, "[w]omen's [d]ignity [and] [s]afety," social justice, and "[c]lean and [t]ransparent [g]overnance" (n.d.a). According to the Tribune, in January 2026, the INLD hosted a youth conference at its district office in Sirsa district, where the "chief guest," Arjun Chautala, member of the Haryana legislative assembly for the Rania constituency, spoke on various issues including youth unemployment, crime, and agricultural (2026-01-28).
The Tribune indicates that Abhay Singh Chautala led a march in November 2025 to protest the treatment of farmers, highlighting issues such as the lack of access to seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, farmers' growing debt, and protection of crops (2025-11-04). The same source notes that Abhay submitted a memorandum and gave the state government "a seven-day ultimatum" to resolve the government's treatment of farmers (The Tribune 2025-11-04).
Hindustan Times notes that in June 2025, the INLD protested "police inaction" in the case of a farmer who was killed following a dispute with a real estate company (2025-06-11). According to the Tribune, in February 2026 Abhay spoke in the Haryana Assembly in support of farmers who were facing difficulties due to the authorities "tamper[ing]" with canals that provide water for farms (2026-02-23).
According to the Tribune, the INLD held a rally on 25 September 2025 to commemorate the birthdate of the INLD founder, Devi Lal, with party leaders and supporters, as well as politicians from other parties in attendance (2025-09-25). ThePrint indicates that the INLD holds a rally on 25 September every year (2025-09-16).
The BBC indicates that in 2023, Abhay reacted to anti-Muslim violence in Haryana by criticizing the state government for "fail[ing] to take preventative action despite security concerns" (2023-08-01).
4. Membership
According to the Tribune, the INLD is recruiting both old and new members to "rebuild its base" in the state of Haryana "after being out of power for over 20 years" (2025-07-25). The same source, published in July 2025, notes that "[a]s many as" 5,000 new members had been added (The Tribune 2025-07-25). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
4.1. Requirements and Procedures to Become a Member
The researcher noted that they are not aware of a formal procedure to become a member of the INLD party, and that individuals can "declare" themselves to be a member and subsequently may or may not be included in the local branch of the party (2026-02-13).
Without providing further information, the INLD party website provides a form for visitors who wish to volunteer for the party; the form asks for the visitor's first and last names, email address, and the name of the district the volunteer lives in (n.d.b).
4.2. Obtaining a Membership Card
When asked whether the INLD provides its members with a membership card, the researcher responded that "[m]ost" people tend to print their "party visiting card" themselves; at the local level, people "just know who is with which party" (2026-02-13). The same source added that candidates who run for office are required to file an affidavit to declare their party affiliation (Researcher 2026-02-13). The researcher further indicated that although not common, members of the party are able to get a formal membership attestation at the "district or party level," "signed by a party secretary" (2026-02-13). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
4.3. Issuance of Attestation Letters
A June 2023 PTI article cites a letter from Nachhattar Singh Malhan, the INLD secretary, to the US Department of Justice as stating that the party is aware of the existence of forged documents using the INLD letterhead; however, the INLD had issued "'documents for asylum'" to "'only'" 2 people (PTI 2023-06-27). The Economic Times, a newspaper in India owned by same media conglomerate that owns the TOI (The Times of India Group n.d.), quotes the same INLD letter as stating that "'[o]nly'" the INLD office in Chandigarh is authorized to issue such documents (The Economic Times 2023-06-27). Citing the INLD secretary, the PTI notes that the 2 people who received the official INLD documents were party members and their cases were "very old" (2023-06-27).
Information on the appearance of membership cards and attestation letters, or documents related to asylum, including samples, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
5. Treatment by Authorities
Information on the treatment of INLD supporters by the authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
According to sources, Nafe Singh Rathee [Rathi], then-INLD Haryana state president, and another party member were killed in February 2024 (Hindustan Times 2025-12-03; researcher 2026-02-13). TOI indicates that both Delhi and Haryana police were involved in a joint apprehension of 2 suspects (2024-03-05). Another TOI article notes that the Haryana government handed the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) [3] who "registered a fresh case" (2025-09-08). The same source notes that the CBI arrested 4 people for their "alleged involvement" (TOI 2025-09-08). Hindustan Times notes that the charges by the CBI pertain to murder, criminal conspiracy, and weapons, and adds that the court case is ongoing as of November 2025 (2025-11-08).
Media sources indicate that Abhay petitioned for Z-plus category protection [4] based on "threat[ening]" calls [that he received in 2023 (TOI 2024-03-21)], the murder of Rathee, as well as his outspokenness on issues of public interest, such as crime; the authorities granted him Y-plus category protection [5] in 2024 (TOI 2024-03-21; Hindustan Times 2024-03-21). According to sources, Abhay applied for Z-plus category protection again in 2025 due to "risk[s] to his life" stemming from "threat[s] from international gangsters" [6], as well as his public demands for action in the Rathee murder case; however, authorities have not granted it (Hindustan Times 2025-12-03; The Tribune 2025-12-01). The Tribune notes that in response to Abhay's petition, the authorities in Chandigarh said that the INLD leader is under Y-plus protection, and that since the "threatening" call received in 2025, police have been providing "enhanced security arrangements" around the Chautala residence (2026-01-29).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Notes
[1] The Jats are an "agrarian middle caste" seeking classification as Other Backward Classes' (OBC)," a designation of groups considered "educationally or socially disadvantaged" with constitutionally-mandated entitlements (Australia 2020-12-10, para. 3.148, 3.149).[back]
[2] A block, also known as a sub-district, is an "administrative division that exists as an intermediary level between a district and the smaller administrative units known as villages" (Rang De 2024-05-27).[back]
[3] The CBI, which is under the Ministry of Personnel, Pension and Public Grievances, investigates cases of "paramount importance," including assassinations, kidnappings and hijackings (Wahab n.d.). [back]
[4] Z-plus security is the "highest level of security protection" provided to individuals other than the Prime Minister and their immediate family; it comprises 55 security personnel and specially trained commandos providing 24-hours protection, as well as bulletproof vehicles and escorts (Business Standard 2023-10-09).[back]
[5] Y category security, which includes the Y-plus level, comprises 8 to 11 personnel, including a "couple of commandos" and 2 personal security officers (Business Standard 2023-10-09).[back]
[6] Abhay Chautala's son received a "death threat" aimed at his father from an "unknown" individual with a "foreign" phone number in July 2025 (PTI 2025-07-16).[back]
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Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Associate professor at a university in the UK who researches nationalism, democracy and public policy in India; associate professor at a university in the US who researches politics in South Asia; India National Lok Dal; journalist based in India who has written about politics; professor at a university in Canada who researches the role of political parties in India; professor at a university in Canada who researches South Asian politics; professor at a university in Canada who researches gender and nationalism in India; professor and chair at a university in France who researches South Asian studies with a focus on political economy; professor at a university in India who researches politics and religious violence in in the country; professor of sociology at a university in India who researches social inequities, caste and agrarian issues in India; professor at a university in India who researches politics, election studies and governance in India; professor at a university in the US who researches political development, economy and ethnicity in India; professor at a university in the US who researches political parties and behaviors in contemporary India; professor at a university in the US who researches political parties, elections and democracy in India; professor of anthropology at a university in the US who researches political life in South Asia; professor of anthropology at a university in the US who researches the state and development in India and South Asia; professor of politics at a university in the US who researches political parties in India; researcher, journal editor and former professor at a university in India who researchers politics and public administration; senior fellow at a university in Canada who researches social movements in India; senior research fellow at a university in France who researches caste and identity in India; visiting assistant professor at a university in the US who researches caste issues in India.
Internet site, including: Amnesty International; Associated Press; CNN; Council on Foreign Relations; Deccan Herald; The Diplomat; EU – EU Agency for Asylum; Europa World Online; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; The Journal of Refugee Studies; Kashmir Despatch; Keesing Technologies – Keesing DocumentChecker; Minority Rights Group; National Herald; South Asia Commons; UK – Home Office; UN – Refworld; US – CIA, Department of Justice, Library of Congress; Zee News.