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NEW DELHI: Hardik Patel’s latest Facebook Post is an appeal for peace:
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He can afford to sit back and urge the Patidars to desist from violence as the violence that engulfed Gujarat the day before has effectively demonstrated his power to bring the state to a standstill. Nine persons were killed, property damaged, curfew imposed, Army and the paramilitary called out, internet services suspended, mobile connections snapped as a panicky government sought to restore order. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi actually broke his customary silence policy on issues of import, to appeal to the people of Gujarat for peace.
This was the first instance of large scale violence after the 2002 communal attacks that left nearly 2000 persons killed. And hence the social media is full of comparisons of the government’s response then and now. As clearly the Patel stir has disturbed both the Chief Minister as well as the Prime Minister, as it is seen as ‘revolt from within.’
In 2002 the police was not visible and telephone calls by terrified Muslims for help went unanswered. Instead reports of police connivance in the violence were established as fact. The state government made no effort to call out the Army to protect the minorities from the mobs. There was no appeal for peace, and the mobs were not attacked or controlled at any stage.
In 2015, the state government tried to establish its authority by using the police to crackdown on the crowds surging behind Hardik Patel. An attempt was made to arrest him. When the violence broke out as a result, the central government rushed paramilitary forces to the state, and the Army was called in. The violence was contained, although nine persons died. Appeals were made for peace by the PM and the CM as well.
Hardik Patel, accused of being close to BJP dissenters, of working with the Congress, of collaborating with the Aam Aadmi Party in one breath has established his influence on the most influential community in the state, Patels.
And in the process has busted the myth of development and progress created by the Gujarat government under then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and accepted even by the Planning Commission of the ruling Congress party at the time. The stir with Hardik Patel’s posts, statements and interviews basically establish a new reality for the state, one that flies in the face of all the claims made by the BJP till date.
Patels quotes claim: 1. Gujarat is poor and certainly not a role model of development
2. Development is skewed and uneven favouring only about 5-10% of the population
3. Patels, considered synonymous with Gujarat’s development, have the largest share of farmers suicides in the state
4. Patels, despite being on the most ‘privileged’ communities in the state, are not getting jobs. The rural youth despite good marks are not able to get jobs on merit.
5. Corruption is rampant, as the youth have to pay bribes to get jobs in government.
Hardik Patel has ensured that the image of Gujarat, as a shining, corporate friendly state, is busted.. And with it PM Modi’s campaign plank for forthcoming elections, more so as the Gujarat success is seen to have contributed directly to his success on the national platform. Patel’s counter carries weight as it is being endorsed by lakhs of Gujaratis across the state.
