Caste hierarchy jeopardizes Gujarat’s saffron citadel
In Gujarat’s intricate caste system, the BJP seems to be in danger of being wedged between the Kshatriyas and the influential Patidars in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The former demands that Purushottam Rupala, the party’s nominee and Union Minister, be removed from his Rajkot seat due to his careless remarks on the community (he subsequently apologized with little effect). Rupala’s community, the Patidars, have shown their unwavering support for him.
The Rajput group, also known as the Kshatriya community, has been holding demonstrations for the last week in response to Rupala’s comments made during an event. Things have gotten so bad that on Saturday, several Kshatriya women threatened to commit “johar,” or self-immolation, if Rupala persisted in running for the seat. Mahipal Makrana, the national president of the Karni Sena, has also been arrested concurrently by the state police. Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, however, expressed optimism that a quick solution would be found. Rupani said, “Rupala sahab has already apologized,” at a media interview. Many have been pardoned by the Kshatriya community in the past. I have no doubt that the problem will be fixed.
Social media has being used by the Patidar community to express support for Rupala. BJP politician and community leader Jyoti Tilwa sent a letter advocating for harmony. Tilwa said in her message: “It is inappropriate for anybody to have such worries, even after apologizing. The message said, “Let us wake up and support Rupala sahib.”
Social media was also used by other Patidar community members to support Rupala.
Prominent Patidar activist Lalit Vasoya, the Congress candidate for Lok Sabha from Porbandar, has accused the governing BJP of trying to sow division between the two groups.
With an estimated domination of over 40 Assembly seats out of 182 and over seven Lok Sabha seats out of a total of 26, Patidar voters have significant influence. The Patidar movement led by Hardik Patel in 2017 escalated demands for quota, which had a major impact on the BJP. The party suffered a significant defeat, winning only 99 of the 182 Assembly seats.
Understanding the value of Patidar support, the BJP carefully selects Patidar candidates for important seats. For example, Rupala, who both represent the Patidar community, is nominated for the Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency, whereas Mansukh Mandaviya is running from the Porbandar seat.
These constituencies are located in Gujarat’s Saurashtra zone and include the assembly seats of Rajkot East, Rajkot West, and Rajkot South, as well as regions with a sizable Patidar voting base, such as Morbi, Tankara, Gondal, Dhoraji, Amreli, Savarkundla, and Jetpur.
