New Delhi:
Time and again India has faced stirs demanding reservations, this time however Hardik Patel's OBC quota protests in Ahmedabad has showed that caste politics still remain a dominant issue in Narendra Modi's Gujarat.
Nearly 8 people have been dead so far in the protests after the August 25th stirring speech by Hardik Patel which drew nearly 25 lakh Patidars in Surat.
But is this 'PATEL REVOLUTION' justified? VOTE HERE
A rebellion which began 30 years back has finally gained momentum again under a new leader Hardik Patel, a 21-year-old businessman who is roaring straight in the face of Gujarat government.
In 1980s Patedars or Patels of Gujarat protested against reservation for Dalits, Adivasis and Other Backward Castes in government jobs and educational institutions.
After years of hardship and struggles they have created an impact in Gujarat society by either becoming top businessmen or agriculturists or diamond merchants.
The community constitute 15 per cent of the state's population and have been growing ever since; that's why their demand for inclusion in the OBC category appears surprising and amusing to many.
Interestingly in early 1970s they were Congress supporters but their hunger for growth and progress turned them towards BJP in state.
By the turn of 1980s, Patels have become ardent followers and loyal cheerleaders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development model ‘Vibrant Gujarat’.
The BJP on the other hand have also handsomely rewarded the community in exchange. Notably, 40 of the 120 BJP law-makers in the state are Patels, including Chief Minister Anandiben and seven of her senior cabinet colleagues.
Then what triggered the community to protest so suddenly? There can be several agendas.
Now, the community is facing internal growth problems. The middle and lower middle class Patels have been unable to attract big businesses which usually go to big households under the ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ model.
Then the diamond industry of Surat, controlled by the Patels of Saurashtra, is facing a sharp slump following the laying off of 10,000 workers and shutdown of 150 units in past 6 months.
Also, now the community wants to get their children into medical and engineering colleges or institutions providing technical education thus making it easier for them to migrate abroad and find jobs locally.
The perturbing issues can be seriously credited for the attraction of nearly 4 lakh Patel community people to the pro-reservation rally held in the city a fortnight ago.
Hardik Patel, who has become the face of the agitation, has successfully brought together the two major sub-castes of the Patels- Kadvas and Leuvas.
The third sub-caste, Anjanas, who have been considered socially backward became eligible for OBC status right and got posts in schools, the police force and other government departments.
Meanwhile, the growing army of unemployed Kadva and Leuva Patels have been left out of the selection process time and again.
Gujarat has already touched 50 percent mark reservation as ruled by the Supreme Court for any state in India.
The communities which have either got quota in Gujarat or are in the fray include Prime Minster Narendra Modi's community, Ghanchis, aggressive Rabaris, Bharwads, Kolis and Thakores, amongst others.
Today’s rally became another achievement for the face of the ‘Patel revolution’ Hardik Patel who touched chords in the mega rally which brought Ahmedabad to halt on Tuesday.
What remains to be seen is the turn which this revolution will mark in the history of reservation revolution in the country.
Do you think Patel's quota stir is justified? Share your views with us.
