Rajkot/Jamnagar, Nov 27: The single biggest positive impact of the Patidar stir in Gujarat is a
"comprehensive" debate on the merits and demerits of government's overall reservation policy, say intellectuals and academicians while some say -
it is high time the communities by and large also come forward to "make sacrifices".
"For some of us in Gujarat, the Patidar
agitation actually offers a big lesson in a long term perspective. It is much
more than what happens in this year's elections. At least there should be a
national debate on reservation policy. Is it proper to keep the Quota-debate
confined to caste-based?" asks Snigdha Patel, a Rajkot-based Patidar
housewife.
A mother of two children, Ms Patel says, "I
cannot imagine a true success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sabka Saath
Sabka Vikas' campaign when my children may be deprived of medical seats just
because they are born Patels but with much lesser marks, their classmates can
become doctors just because they have right castes".
In fact, a number of academicians in Rajkot and
also in Jamnagar -another Saurashtra hub with overwhelming number of Patidars -
want a 'national debate' on the issue.
Prof Hitenbhai (name changed), who works in a
Government Law College, says, "May be the reservation policy as drawn out
70 years back based on caste was relevant in 1950s. But after seven decades
now, there should be a change in policy. Even communities who have been getting
the benefits should be ready to make sacrifices".
"If someone is a doctor or someone has two
generation government servants in the family, why should they continue to get
the benefits. They are no longer backwards. This should be debated. If the
spirit of sacrifice is not developed, the social harmony will be disturbed,"
he says.
Another Patidar gentleman in Jamnagar says,
"people may be angry with the BJP for the manner Anandiben Patel regime
handled the agitation in 2015. But it is also a fact that the Modi government
in 2002 stood by the people (read Hindus) and Gujarat no longer sees any
communal riot, which was a major cause of tension under Congress".
His views are shared by Snigdha Patel also, who
says, the Modi government rightly is taking "tough and befitting
measures" to fight terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
"As a Patidar, I may feel aggrieved against
BJP on reservation issue. But when it comes to nationalism and fighting
terrorism, I have no choice, but to back the Modi-led dispensation," she
says.
Talking politically, the BJP leadership also
appreciates well the role of the 'Patidar movement' as Patels account nearly 14 per cent voters in the state. In this
context, they know besides quota politics as pushed by Hardik Patel, there is
also political significance of water-scarce Saurashtra region - that sends 48
seats in the 182-member assembly.
In fact, a BJP worker in Jamnagar and also a
Patidar, Bimal Patel points out aptly: "There was Patel revolt in 2007
also. But the BJP managed to win 38 seats. In 2012, the challenge was more as
Keshubhai Patel known as ‘Bapa’ (in Saurashtra) had floated his own party. BJP
still managed to win 32 seats. Now, that Narmada water is coming, BJP stands to
improve its prospects".
He says, Gujarat BJP’s focus on Saurashtra
region is amply clear as - Modi-Amit Shah duo has rightly put two key leaders state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani
and new Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hailing from the region.
Importantly, Patels, who were with Congress
initially, had moved out of the grand old party's hold after Congress
leadership focused their politics on KHAM - Kshatriyas, Harijans, Adivasis and
Muslims during the tenure of Madhavsinh Solani. UNI
