Gujarat government caught in reservation war: After Patels, Kshatriyas and Brahmins too want a pie

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has been caught in a fix due to widespread unrest over the issue of reservation. While the Patidar agitation seeking reservation has spread across the state, the Kshatriyas and Brahmins too have begun agitating over the issue.

In a massive show of strength, lakhs of Patidars or Patels came out on the streets of Surat earlier this week, demanding reservation in the OBC segment. Over the past month, the agitation by the economically influential Patels has spread and grown throughout the state. The community now plans a massive show of strength in Ahmedabad on August 25.

Hardik Patel, convener of Patidar Aarakshan Samiti said, "Our agitation is not against any government. It is a question of getting what we rightly deserve and we will go ahead with the rally on August 25 even if we are not granted permission."

Already in an awkward situation, the state government is now faced with protests by the Kshatriya community, which is also seeking a share in the reservation pie. The Kshatriya community has planned a series of protest rallies in Gujarat over the next few weeks. Chanting slogans like ‘Jay Rajputana’, thousands of members of the Rajput community, along with those of the Brahmin community, marched through Mansa town in north Gujarat and handed over a memorandum to government officials.

Gujarat Kshatriya Mahasabha president Chandrasingh Rathod said, "We are issuing a warning. This is not against any government or any community. It is for our right. What happens in the future will be for everyone to see."

Karansingh Chavda, convener of Samasta Rajya Kshatriya Samiti, endorsed Rathod’s views. He said, "We have decided to hold such rallies across the state and then finally a huge sammelan at Ahmedabad, where leaders from various states will be present".

The government says there are constitutional and legal issues involved, but it is willing to talk to representatives of all agitating communities to work out an amicable solution.

Reacting to this, Gujarat government spokesperson Nitin Patel said, "We have had a round of meetings with all groups. We will continue to speak to them to find a solution to the issue."

The government indeed is doing a tight-rope walk on the issue even as Patels account for almost one-fifth of the population and are seen as a strong BJP vote bank.