गुजरात में बाहरी श्रमिको विरुद्ध हिंसा के पीछे किस का ‘हाथ’?

(पांचजन्य, २८ अक्तूबर, २०१८ दिनांक के अंक में प्रसिद्ध आलेख)

गुजरात के साबरकांठा जिल्ले में हिंमतनगर के पास ढुंढर गाँव में पीछली 28 सितम्बर को केवल 14 वर्ष की बच्ची पर बलात्कार हुआ। बलात्कारी बिहार से आया हुआ श्रमिक था जो सिरामिक फॅक्टरी में काम करता था। इस अपराधी को पकड लिया गया और फास्ट ट्रॅक कॉर्ट द्वारा जल्द न्याय होने के लिए भी मुख्यमंत्री विजय रूपाणीने आश्वासन दिया है। लेकिन इस के बाद भी गुजरात में बहार से आये श्रमिको के उपर गुस्सा फूट नीकला। कहीं पर घर में घूस के तोडफोड की गई। तो कहीं पर मारमार के लूट लिया गया। तो कुछ जगह पर तो लडकियों को रोक के धमकी दी गई। कहीं पर महिलाओं की छेडखानी की गई।

गुजरात तो हंमेशां से बहार के लोगों का स्वागत कर के अपने में घूलमिला देनेवाला राज्य रहा है। पूरा विश्व जानता है कि इस्लामी आक्रांताओ से पीडित पारसी ईरान से सब से पहेले गुजरात के संजाण बंदर पर आए थे। और उन को यहां बसने की अनुमति मिली थी। पारसी भी दूध में सक्कर की तरह घूल मिल गये। तो गुजरात में भारत के अन्य राज्यो से आये हुए लोगों के प्रति झहर का तो प्रश्न ही नहीं उपस्थित होता। गुजरात में कई लोग है जो बहार से आये और गुजरात में जिस को ‘सवाया गुजराती’ (गुजराती से बढ के गुजराती) बोला जाता है एसे बन गयें। जैसे कि काकासाहेब कालेलकर (गांधीजी के अनुयायी, साहित्यकार, मूलतः महाराष्ट्री), रूबिन डेविड (मूलतः यहूदी, अमदावाद के कांकरिया झू के स्थापक), एस्थर डेविड (मूलतः यहूदी, शिल्पकार, साहित्यकार), फाधर वालेस (मूलतः स्पैन, गणितज्ञ), गुलझारीलाल नंदा (दो बार अस्थायी प्रधानमंत्री बने), डॉ. वर्गीस कुरियन (श्वेत क्रांति के जनक) आदि। गुजरात में बहार से जो आता है वो यहीं रचबस जाता है। उस को यहां की शांति, समृद्धि, पारस्परिक सहयोग से विकास करना, भाईचारा रखना ये बातें इतनी भा जाती है कि वह फिर अपनी मातृभूमि वापिस जाने का कम ही सोचेगा।

तो फिर ये क्यों हुआ? किस के कारण हुआ?

दो कारण हैं। एक उत्तर गुजरात के ठाकोर समुदाय में (जो कि मत की दृष्टि से प्रभावी है) बहार से आये हुए श्रमिको के प्रति असंतोष थोडा बहोत था। क्योंकि ठाकोरों को लग रहा था कि उनकी जगह बाहरी श्रमिको को रोजगार मिल रहा है। ठाकोर समुदाय से निकले अल्पेश ठाकोर ने ये जान के इस को हवा देना शुरू किया। उन के टीवी चैनल पर दिये इन्टरव्यू या डिबेट में ये बातें स्पष्ट देखने को मिलती है। लेकिन 29 सितम्बर को अपने फेसबुक लाइव में उपर उल्लेखित बलात्कार कांड के बारे में बोलते हुए उन्होंने ठाकोरों को भडकाने की भरसक कोशिश की।

उन्होंने कहा, “कब तक एसे लोगों को हम सह लेंगे? एसा बनाव गुजरात में कहीं पर भी बनता है तो एसे लोगों को मत छोडो। वह परप्रांतीय (बाहरी) युवान कोई भी हो, वह छूटनेवाला नहीं। वह नराधम यदि ठाकोर सेना के हाथों में सोंप दीया होता तो उस का ‘हिसाब’ हो गया होता।” इसी सेशन में वह उसका विरोध करनेवाले मनोज बारोट नाम के युवान को धमकी देते हैं कि मैं सिंहों की सेना का केप्टन हूं। वह अपनी ठाकोर सेना के लोगों को इस युवान को ढूंढने के लिए आदेश भी देतें हैं। (इस की लिंक ये रही : https://www.facebook.com/alpeshthakorektamanch/videos/320171978787448/?__xts__[0]=68.ARALUyDSrK5KNuVpykzQFqHkapsCHPDbWsBoSOw_48OTg3Cn-ahnJSphKwdVwwMgsQRJokNX6mOpVvorgDDmeC_gzFpgAJmBRdGtMeA7Pywqy-W5cANhIx2dTUFRFyW-KHYacfI6nWLj17kbZl3Kg7x4hxu935nqgj0Q_RB1HWW3g8l7WD3U&__tn__=-R)

अल्पेश ठाकोर के इस फेसबुक लाइव भाषण के बाद बाहरी लोगों के विरुद्ध हिंसा शुरू हो गई। पुलीस ने सख्ती से काम लिया। अब तक 533 लोगों की गिरफ्तारी हो चूकी है जिस में से 20 लोग कॉंग्रेस के नेता है। ठाकोर सेना के भी बहोत सारे लोग है। पुलीस ने कथित बाहरी श्रमिको में सुरक्षा की भावना के लिए उनसे बात की। जैसे ही कॉल आता, पुलीस तुरंत पहुंच जाती एसा गुजरात के बाहरी लोगों का कहना भी है। लेकिन डर का वातावरण बना दिया गया था। पुलीस की सख्त कार्यवाही के बाद अब वातावरण शांत हो गया है। फॅक्टरीयां भी फिर से चालु हो गई है। कुछ लोग फिर भी अपनी मातृभूमि वापिस गये। पुलीस का यह कहना है कि वे दिवाली और छठ्ठ के त्योहारो के बाद वापिस आयेंगे।

मुख्यमंत्री विजय रूपाणीने बाहरी लोगों को गुजरात वापिस आने की अपील की। वे लगातार इस मामले को लेकर चिंतित दिखें। उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ और बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीशकुमारने रूपाणी से बात करने के बाद भरोसा जताया कि गुजरात में सरकार पूरी तरह से सक्रिय है।

लेकिन इस हिंसा के पीछे कॉंग्रेस का हाथ स्पष्ट रूप से दिख रहा है। राजनीति के विशेषज्ञ मानते है कि गुजरात में बहार से आये श्रमिको और अन्य वर्ग का मत भाजप को जाता था। इतना हीं नहीं, 2012 के धारासभा चुनाव और 2014 के लोकसभा चुनाव में ये वर्ग ने अपनी मातृभूमि में जा के नरेन्द्र मोदी के पक्ष में प्रचार भी किया था। तो ये मत काटने के लिए और उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार तथा मध्यप्रदेश-राजस्थान जैसे राज्य जहां धारासभा चुनाव भी होने है, वहां भी भाजप के मत काटे जाये इस लिए यह षडयंत्र रचा गया। 2015 से हार्दिक पटेल के रूप में पाटीदार आरक्षण आंदोलन, जिज्ञेश मेवाणी का दलित आंदोलन और अल्पेश ठाकोर का पाटीदार आंदोलन के विरुद्ध ओबीसी आंदोलन- ये तीनो आंदोलन के पीछे कॉंग्रेस का समर्थन था। अल्पेश को कॉंग्रेस ने राधनपुर से लडवाया। जिज्ञेश मेवाणी को वडगाम में समर्थन देकर विधायक बनावाया। हार्दिक पटेल की राहुल गांधी से अमदावाद के हॉटल में गुप्त मुलाकात का रहस्य भी किसी से छूपा नहीं है। लेकिन ये तीनो आंदोलन का 2017 के गुजरात धारासभा चुनाव में मतों में परिवर्तन नहीं हुआ। इसी लिए अब गुजरात में मूल गुजराती विरुद्ध बाहरी एसा प्रांतवाद का मुद्दा खडा करने का प्रयास हो रहा है।

अल्पेश ठाकोर को कुछ महिने पहेले ही बिहार कॉंग्रेस का सहप्रभारी बनाया गया है। बिहार कॉंग्रेस के प्रभारी शक्तिसिंह गोहिल भी गुजरात से ही है।

कॉंग्रेस की एक नेता गेनीबहेन ठाकोर, जिस को कॉंग्रेस का हाइ कमान्ड टिकट दे इससे पहले अल्पेश ने वाव से प्रत्याशी घोषित कर दिया था, उन्हों ने तो अल्पेश से भी ज्यादा भडकानेवाला बयान दिया। उनको मिलने आई कुछ महिलाओं को उन्होंने हंसते हंसते कहा, “एसे अपराधी को 50-100 का ग्रूप बना के पेट्रोल डाल के जिंदा जला देना चाहिए, तो पुलीस को सोंपने का प्रश्न ही नहीं आता।”

गेनीबहेन इससे पहेले भी हिंसा फैलानेवाले बयान दे चूकी है। एक बार उन्हों ने कहा था कि “ठाकोरों को बनियो ने ही पीछडा रखा है।” तो किसानों की एक सभा में उन्होंने प्रदेश कॉंग्रेस प्रमुख अमित चावडा की उपस्थिति में कहा, “किसानो के भले के लिए, उनकी दुर्दशा के लिए जिम्मेदार भाजप के सभी लोगों को मैं मार डालूं, भले ही इस के लिए मुझे जेल क्यों ना जाना पडे। शस्त्र हाथ में लेने पडे तो कॉंग्रेस का हर एक कार्यकर्ता शस्त्र उठाने के लिए तैयार है।”

दूसरी तरफ बाहरी लोगों को हिंसा के लिए भडकाने की कोशिश भी हुई। एसी हरकत करनेवाला कॉंग्रेसी नेता ही है। वडोदरा के तोहिद आलमखान शरीफखान ने फेसबुक पर विडियो में कहा, “युपी, बिहार और एमपी के लोगों को भगा रहे है, आप इन्सान हो या जानवर?...गुजरात में जितने भी असामाजिक लोग है उनको लेकर आओ और एक भी बाहरी व्यक्ति को गुजरात से हटा के दिखाओ, पता चल जायेगा। मैं अकेला ही पर्याप्त हूं।” तो एक तरफ बाहरी लोगो के विरुद्ध हिंसा करके फिर बाहरी लोगों को गुजरात के लोगों के विरुद्ध हिंसा के लिए भडकाना इस दोनों बातों में कॉंग्रेस के लोगों की शामिलगीरी बहार आई है। गुजरात सरकार और केन्द्र की मोदी सरकार को आनेवाले दिनों में ओर सतर्क रहना होगा।

Now, Gujarati VS Non Gujarati Politics

Jaywant Pandya from Karnawati

Gujarat is in a new kind of turmoil. It is for the first time that the state is being defamed for attacking non-Gujaratis. Gujaratis are known for their assimilating nature. They live in various parts of Bharat and also the world. They are also known for their hospitality. Then, why is there a series of attacks on innocent labours, who have come from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, etc.? How are such defaming incidents happening?

On September 28, a 14 month old girl child was raped and the accused was from Bihar. He was a labourer in a ceramic factory at Dhundhar located near Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha District. Then attacks on migrant workers in North Gujarat started. Violence spread to six districts. Thousands of non-Gujaratis started going back to their native states due to the threats from alleged Kshatriya Thakor Sena. Their stories of fleeing overnight are very traumatic. However, the police worked swiftly and arrested the accused. Then, why is violence taking place?

 

The prime suspect in the violence is said to be the Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who has incidentally been made co-incharge of Bihar Congress just two months back. He delivered a provocative speech on Facebook live on September 29, just a day after the rape. He said, “..Kyan sudhi aava lokone aapne sahan karya rakheeshun? (How long we will tolerate them?)..aavo banav Gujaratman kyanya pan banto hoy to eva lokone chhodava naheen. (If such incident happens in any corner of Gujarat, don’t let them go.)… E parpranteeya yuvan je koi chhe e kyarey chhutavano nathee. (This migrant boy won’t be freed.) E naradham jo kadach thakor senane sonpee deedho hot to teno hisab karee nakhyo hot. (If that rapist had been given to Thakor Sena, it would have settled account.”

(Here is link of facebook session: https://www.facebook.com/alpeshthakorektamanch/videos/320171978787448/?__xts__[0]=68.ARALUyDSrK5KNuVpykzQFqHkapsCHPDbWsBoSOw_48OTg3Cn-ahnJSphKwdVwwMgsQRJokNX6mOpVvorgDDmeC_gzFpgAJmBRdGtMeA7Pywqy-W5cANhIx2dTUFRFyW-KHYacfI6nWLj17kbZl3Kg7x4hxu935nqgj0Q_RB1HWW3g8l7WD3U&__tn__=-R)

This was not first time that Alpesh spoke against migrant workers. He has been speaking against them since he started OBC agitation against Patidar Reservation movement started by Hardik Patel. But, on September 17, he spoke against the migrants at ‘Berojgar Mahasammelan’ at Becharaji organised by his Kshatriya Thakor Sena. He said in the programme: “Outsiders commit crime here and go back to their places. They beat up common people in villages…Companies truck will be stopped and their gates will be broken…How many people are ready to fight?” (Link: ?” https://www.facebook.com/alpeshthakormla/videos/534890716961206/)

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On the side of government, it only worked silently giving safety and assurance to migrant workers. Police did its duty fully. Whenever, police got call, it would rush to caller’s place within few minutes. Migrant workers seemed happy with police action but fear gripped migrant workers as migrant girls was also targeted by stopping them on road and there was another reason too. Diwali and Chhathth holidays were near. So, they continued leaving Gujarat.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam jumped into this and threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  He stated, ““PM ke gruh rajya (Gujarat) mein agar UP, Bihar aur MP ke logon ko maar-maar ke bhagaya jaayega toh ek din PM ko bhi Varanasi jana hai, yeh yaad rakhna. Varanasi ke logon ne unhe gale lagaya aur PM banaya tha (If people of UP, Bihar and MP will be beaten up in PM’s home state then PM must remember that one day he has to go Varanasi. The people of Varanasi had hugged him and made the Prime Minister),” ANI quoted Nirupam  as saying. Then it was turn of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

He tweeted about this violence. Now CM Vijay Rupani gave him back that “Congress first incites violence against Migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame?” In second tweet, Rupani said, “If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act?”

Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel clearly alleged that Alpesh Thakor’s Thakor Sena was behind these attacks. And many videos of alleged members of Thakor Sena threatening migrants were evident to this. Messages of inciting for violence against migrants were being circulated on social media. Police arrested 533 people so far of which 20 are Congress leaders. Many are Thakor Sena leaders/members too.

Calculation behind the violent agitation can be easily understood. This violent agitation is beneficial only to the Congress as vote share of migrant workers to BJP in Gujarat might fall. And consequently, this violence would have severe effect on votes in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand in Lok Sabha 2019 elections as well as in Assembly elections. Gujarat will suffer economically in a major way as factories work, Ahmedabad Metro train work etc might be affected severely.

 

It is to be recalled that in 2014 Shri Narendra Modi won on the development plank, and since then Gujarat has been on the target. Various agitations such as Patidar reservation by Hardik, Dalit agitation by Jignesh Mevani and OBC agitation by Alpesh Thakor were pointing to the failure of development model of Gujarat. All three agitations had subsidiary target of defeating the BJP in Assembly elections of 2017. But unfortunately (on the part of Congress) all three got exposed that they were Congress supported. Alpesh Thakor joined the Congress and got elected as Congress MLA, while Congress supported Jignesh Mevani in his election. Hardik’s support to Congress and his secret visit to Rahul Gandhi in Ahmedabad hotel is not unknown. So, it is speculated that now there is conspiracy to start new agitation for dividing Gujarati vs non-Gujarati.

 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar spoke to Shri Rupani and appealed him to see that there are no attacks on non-Gujaratis. They expressed satisfaction over Gujarat government’s actions. Shri Rupani appealed to the migrant workers to return back to Gujarat.

 

After being exposed, Alpesh Thakor claimed with tears in eyes that he couldn’t support violence and he was going to sit on fast on October 11. Bihar Congress and Gujarat Congress leaders are not happy with Raj Thackeray kind of politics by Alpesh, but the Congress top leadership seems to be backing Alpesh. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel gave a clean chit to Alpesh alleging that the BJP was trying to politicise the issue. 

Gujarat tourism: Spread culture with tourism

(This article was published in Organiser Magazine dt. 03 December 2017).

Gujarat and Gujarati loves tourism. I mean to say Gujarat is great center of tourism and Gujaratis are great tourists who visit from Char Dham to Kanyakumari and from US to Thailand. But until Narendra Modi became chief minister and he decided to promote Gujarat tourism in big way, Gujarat was lesser known for tourism. People from out of Gujarat used to visit Dwarika, Ambaji, Somnath and Palitana temples. Who had imagined that dry desert can be also a great spot for tourism? It can be only visionary person like Narendrabhai who can imagine and develop Kutch desert as tourism place.

Actually Kutch was devastated after major earth quake of 2001. But due to BJP government’s pro active efforts and religious NGOs help Kutch was developed like never before. At this time, Narendra Modi was doing great work overall in Gujarat regarding road connectivity. And Kutch was also included. In 2005 Narendrabhai decided to host Rann Utsav. He knows importance of marketing and promoting. So his government promoted this festival in a big way. This festival provides glimpses of Kutch as well as Gujarat culture. Be it paintings or dance, dresses, handicraft things or any other culture programme hosted during the festival, everything echoes Gujarati culture.

Narendrabhai also ropped mega star Amitabh in to promoting Gujarat tourism. Well written slogans like Gujarat naheen dekha to kutch naheen dekha, Kuchh din to guzariye Gujarat mein and Khushboo Gujarat Kee, script,  locations, direction and presence of Amitabh Bachchan made ads very popular. It helped in promoting Gujarat tourism very well. Even seven years after this campaign, state still manages to hold on to impressive growth rates in tourist footfalls. It has accomplished a 16.94 per cent growth in tourist arrivals in FY17 over the previous year.

Moreover, Narendra Modi promoted Navratri festival in big way by hosting Vibrant Navratri programme since 2004. This programme projects not only Gujarati culture but national and international culture too. Many national and international stars come here for performing arts. This festival also helped to promote Gujarat tourism.

This year present chief minister Vijay Rupani government took it to next level by promoting ‘Selfie With Cow’! Seculars only love chicken and hate cows. Due to constant vicious propaganda, new generation also start to love chicken and hate cows. But in this Vibrant Navratri, four month old calf Saraswati was key attraction. Saraswati adorned in green Navratri dress wearing silver anklets and earings. BJP leader and chairman of state Gauseva Ayog and Gauchar Vikas Board Vallabh Kathiria said, “Selfie with Saraswati' is the cow board's initiative to attract youth towards cow and inculcate love and respect towards gaumata”.

International Kite festival is also big opportunity to attract not only national tourists but international tourists in a big way.

Efforts started by Narendrabhai way back in 2010 to get Ahmedabad declared as world heritage city saw result this year when UNESCO made this announcement. This will help to boost Gujarat tourism and Gujarat culture.

CM Vijaybhai Rupani also launched Seema Darshan programme at zero point of Nadabet border in Banaskantha district. It is a concept of border tourism which helps tourists to realize how our Jawans live and fight at border and boosts not only tourism but patriotism in our countrymen too. Exhibition of arms, border view, film about BSF, retreat of Jawans, BSF fusion band, camel show and bird show are main attractions of this border tourism. Added attraction is darshan of Nadeshwari Mata.

And now Gujarat Tourism Corporation has added a new tourism package! It is named ‘Modi tourism’! Tourists taking this package will get visit of Vadnagar and places around it. It is well known fact that Vadnagar is birth place of Narendra Modi. Gujarat can launch this type of tourism because Vadnagar is well developed during Modi government period and then afterwards Anandiben-Vijaybhai governments. Can there be Amethi or Raibareli tourism?

Today Sabarmati River front has become one of major tourist point. Before Narendra Modi took over as CM, Sabarmati used to be dry bed and youth used to play cricket there. But Modi government brought Narmada water into Sabarmati. And he also developed River front. Now there is water sports adventure in Sabarmati. Even, when Rahul Gandhi, vice president of Indian National Congress decided to hold Samvaad programme to raise unemployment and non development issues in Gujarat recently, he choose Sabarmati River front as location!

Last month Vijaybhai inaugurated lion safari park at Ambardi in Amreli district.  The park has been developed by carving out around 400 hectare or four square Km area out of Ambardi reserved forest.

Recently Gujarat tourism baged ‘Hall Of Fame’ award for being the Best State in comprehensive development of tourism category at the National Tourism Awards.

But there are more things that can be done to attract more tourists in Gujarat. There are many places that can be developed and promoted through advertise campaigns. Here are some:

1.       Kranti Teerth

Mandavi is a city based in Kachchh district. It has beautiful seashore. There is Vijay Vilas Palace which is historic. Many films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam are shot here. And more over there is Kranti Teerth a memorical of Shyamji Krushna Varma who was great freedom fighter. Nobody thought to bring back his ashes from Geneva but Narendrabhai and then birth place was developed as Kranti Teerth where one can know about freedom fighters. 

2.       Gopnath

Located 70 km away from Bhavnagar, the beach is on the Gulf of Khambat. It is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty. This beach is famous for the Gopinath Temple where famous Krushna Bhakta and ‘Adya Kavi’ Narsimha Mehta pleased Bhagwan Shiv. Shiv gave him Darshan. There are many beach places in this strip like Hathab, Kuda and Mahuva.

3.   Nishkalank Mahadev

Nishkalank Mahadev temple is located in Koliyak village at Bhavnagar District. This temple is unique in a way. Bhagvan Shiv here is well-known as Nishkalan Mahadev. There an idol of Shivjee was situated in an island, over the sea about 2 km to the east part of Koliyak village. That is very holly place. Sea itself performs Jalabhishek on Shiv Ling. It is said that Pandavs got all sins washed away here as they established Nishkalank Mahadev.

4.  Blackbuck National Park

 One remember well black buck as it is alleged that Salman Khan killed blackbuck in Rajasthan. But this blackbuck national park is situated in the Bhavnagar district. It was established in 1976. Population of the park mainly includes blackbucks, wolves, Macqueen's bustards, hyenas and lesser floricans, with foxes, jackals and jungle cats as the main carnivores. Other species include wild pigs, hares and rodents typical of the savannah type grasslands and thorn scrubs.

5.   Pirotan Island

Pirotan Island is an Arabian Sea island. It is known for Marine National Park, Jamnagar District of Gujarat state, India. It is located 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the coast (Bedi Port), consists of mangroves and low-tide beaches. Here tourist can see various marine life forms that include various types of Crabs,  Neptune, hermit crab, sea scorpion, wiper iscoceles, sea horse, octopus etc.

Gujarat Elections: Impregnable

(This article is published in Organiser magazine 12-11-17 issue)

Finally election commission set ball rolling on last 25^th October. Gujarat is going to have elections in two phases. First phase on 9^th December will see Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat voting on 89 seats. It will cover 19 out of 33 districts. Second phase on 14^th December will be for North Gujarat and Central Gujarat voting on 93 seats in remaining 14 districts. Results will be out on 18^th December 2017.

While it was seen one sided game till Rajya Sabha elections. Congress was facing revolt by its opposition leader in assembly, Shankarsinh Vaghela. His supporters were demanding to declare him CM candidate. Shankarsinhjee was also demanding to declare candidates early so that they could get enough time for campaigning. He sought to implement report prepared by ex defense minister A. K. Antony on wake of debacle in Lok Sabha elections. Posters war began in Congress. Some posters were saying: Bapu aave chhe. (Shankarsinh Vaghela a.k.a. Bapu will be next CM) Some were saying: Bharatsinh Solanki aave chhe.  But Congress high command didn’t succumb to Shankarsinh Vaghela group’s demand. And after one meeting of his supporters on 24^th June, Shankarsinhjee announced he would quit congress on his birthday 21^st July.

Congress mlas who were seemed to be Shankarsinhjee supporter began to defect one by one. 14 mlas resigned from Congress before rajyasabha elections. BJP gave Balwantsinh Rajput, congress mla who defected to BJP ticket of Rajya sabha. He was seen candidate against Congress stalwart Ahmed Patel. Suddenly Congress woke up and hijacked their mlas to Bengaluru five star resort. Agnet of Ahmed Patel and veteran Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil allegedly played tactics in which Shankarsinh Vaghela group mla Raghavjee Patel and Bholabhai Gohil got trapped. Their two votes were cancelled after a long suspense that continued till mid night involving election commission at Delhi and Gandhinagar. And finally result was out with Ahmed Patel victory by just half vote which is challenged in court by Balwantsinh Rajput.

Dubious Victory

This victory has boosted up Congress moral. North Gujarat was facing flood and heavy rain. While Gujarat CM Vijaybhai Rupani and health minister Shankarbhai Chaudhary were in North Gujarat for five days to help flood victims, while Congress’s 44 mlas were enjoying in Bengaluru hi fi resort. Even though, after victory ‘Vikas Gando thayo chhe’ (Development has gone mad) messages got circulated and anti BJP campaign was peaking up. Rise in Petrol-Diesel prices, loan for Bullet train, very poor condition of roads, GST were being opposed and many people also joined in this campaign allegedly run by Congress I.T. Cell.

Even though, roads are subject of municipalities (which are BJP controlled), BJP national president Amitbhai Shah had to promise roads would be fine till October which showed Congress campaign success. Picture was good for Congress till 21^st October. But it has started changing from the same day. On this day, Alpesh Thakor, who agitated for OBC and SC-ST went to meet Rahul Gandhi at Delhi and declared he would join Congress. Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani also declared he would support Congress. Hardik Patel also gave indications of supporting Congress on same day.

Split support

Thus it was clear that all three agitations were supporting Congress. Hardik Patel who fought for reservation to Patel community in OBC quota suddenly changed his stand and publically told: “No problem, if Congress doesn’t give reservation to Patel, but we will see BJP would not come to power.” He also talked he was ready to see any Dalit or Muslim leader becoming CM but BJP mustn’t come to power.

Similarly, Alpesh Thakor fought for strict implementation of liquor prohibition. But Mohansinh Rathva who became opposition leader in assembly after Shankarsinh Vaghela quit Congress appealed thakor community members to drink liquor if offered by BJP and vote to Congress. It was in presence of Rahul Gandhi and Alpesh Thakor! It was clearly violation of law. Alpesh Thakor didn’t oppose this at that time and even after that rally.

Media showed Hardik Patel secretly meeting allegedly Rahul Gandhi and coming out with begs. BJP alleged that Hardik Patel had secret deal with Congress. Two big PAAS (Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) leader Varun Patel and Reshma Patel also changed their hearts and joined BJP!

After this sudden change, it seems these agitation have divided Patel and OBC community, specifically Patel community. Before agitation there were two sub castes- Leuva and Kadva. But after Hardik Patel support to Congress, it seems there are two more divisions- PAAS (Pro PAAS) and NaaPAAS (Naapaas means failed but in this case it is anti PASS). Opposition to Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor by their respective communities show that wise members have realized that these leaders, be it Hardik, Varun, Reshma, Alpesh or Jignesh have befooled them on name of communities.

Flimsy Ploys

Allegations by Narendra Patel, PAAS leader that BJP tried to buy him with one crore rupee and after then one audio clip telecasted by media heard Narendra Patel speaking to unknown person about entry of Rs. 25 lakh in his name though he didn’t receive any money. He was telling that Rs25 lakh was described in a diary as a part of the grant received by Mehsana District Panchayat, which was given to PAAS Committee of Mehsana and North Gujarat. He quoted one Pahlaj bhai who told him that he had given the money to three people on receiving a call from the State Congress. Patel was even heard saying that he would speak with state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and ask him about who was given the money. Later in the clip, Patel said that he received a call from Patel reservation stir leader Hardik Patel, who asked him not to talk about the matter to anyone, and also asked him not to make an issue of the same.

These events have created bad image for agitators and Congress. Congress is again alleged to play same caste politics. In 1980s, Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki played KHAM (Kshatriy, Harijan i.e. dalit, Adivasi i.e. tribal and muslim) theory successfully. This time Congress is applying POD theory where P stands for Patidar, O for OBC and D for Dalit.

Chinks In Congress

But taking support of these three young leaders will not be easy task for Congress. After Alpesh Thakor joined Congress, it is said that Congress had to rethink for candidate on 60-70 seats. It was said that Alpesh had a meeting with BJP president Amitbhai Shah where he demanded deputy CM post for his father and 16-18 seats but Amitbhai rejected his offer. So it is clear if Alpesh has joined Congress, Congress must have accepted his demands. And it will create dissatisfaction among Congress leaders. Congress is known for factionalism at times of election and it is one big reason behind its successive four defeats. Two suspected ISIS terrorists were arrested from Surat. BJP alleged that one of the terrorist, Kasim Stimberwala was working as laboratory technician at Sardar Hospital In Ankleshwar. Ahmed Patel was trustee in this hospital. BJP demanding Ahmedbhai’s resignation.

BJP's game

On other hand BJP is also highlighting development work done at center in leadership of PM Narendra Modi and at Gujarat in leadership of ex CM Anandiben Patel and current CM Vijaybhai Rupani. This includes completion of Narmada yojana, Sauni Yojana, Mukhyamantri Yuva Svavalamban Yojana, electricity, irrigation, actions in favour of farmers and tribals, better road connectivity, R0-Ro ferry service between Ghogha-Dahej, bullet train etc.

Election rallies have just started. Model code of conduct is in force since 25^th. Rallies may change whole campaign. Congress is raising same issues like past four elections- i.e. unemployment, poor education facilities, injustice to farmers-dalits-tribals-women, undue favour to 4-5 industrialists. However Rahul Gandhi is adopting new strategy. In past, he/Sonia Gandhi used to come, address rally and then leave. Now Rahul is staying here for three days. He is travelling to villages, talking to farmers, tribals, women, youths. He has accepted he is not good speaker as Narendra Modi is. So he has adopted this strategy.

As this article is being written, Rahul has arrived in south Gujarat. He has visited Saurashtra region and central Gujarat. Narendra Modi has been visiting Gujarat since last one year. He has been here for all development work inauguration or commencement.

It will have to be seen which strategy wins. 

Regulation for affordable education

(My article on regulation brought by Gujarat government on school fee in Organiser, dt. 25 June, 2017)

Schooling is necessary but schools have become a luxury, especially the private schools. It is welcome to have one’s child education at a private school but school fee is matter of big worry.  According to one Mumbai- based tabloid, seventy students of a school were expelled by the management. Reason?  Due to parents’ opposition to school fee hike.

According to national sample survey in 2015, education cost from Primary education to Post-Graduation has soared by 175 per cent.  In Mumbai, as per one estimate, pre schooling fee is higher than MBA fee! As per a report, one school charged Rs. 4.55 lakh as fee till last year, which was raised to Rs. 7 lakh this year! On the other hand, middle class person’s salary or SME’s revenue gets increased generally from 5 to 10 percent yearly with which he has to run household. MBA fee in private college is Rs.5-7 lakhs per year. Fee of one Nursery School in Mumbai was Rs 45,000 in year 2009. This was raised to Rs 93,000 this year. Parents also have started a missed call and WhatsApp campaign to gain support for agitation against the school fee hike.

According to the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act, 2011, a private school can propose a fee hike six months before the academic year and must seek nod from the Parents Teachers Association’s (PTA) executive body before implementing it. According to parents, one of the major drawbacks is that even though the act prohibits schools from hiking fees more than once in two years, it does not put any cap on the hike. They want the act to define upper limits for the hikes.
But this problem is not limited to Maharashtra only. It is pan Bharat problem. Privatisation of education gives more option to parents, but in the name of facilities, schools demand sky-touching fees. Let’s talk about Karnawati. Private schools here charge fees ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5.5 Lakh! Issue is not only fee, but schools demand donation/capitation fee. They force students to buy uniform, books and other things from certain specified shops/show rooms. Recently a school ordered students to wear only Adidas brand shoes!

Even after this scenario, according to Legatum Prosperity Index, Bharat is nowhere near top ten countries in education field. Bharat ranks at 92 which is far behind the other developing countries such as Phillipines (76), Malaysia (51), Sri Lanka (59).

If school education is such costly, how can we expect students to have higher education? There is RTE act for poor children. But its implementation is very poor. Schools don’t obey this rule. As per report of last year, parents complained that eight schools of Rajkot denied admission to 26 children. In Karnawati, parents strongly protested against admission given in schools which are at long distance from home. According to this law, children applicable under RTE must be given admission in the school which is 6 KM away from their homes. But 7,000 children were given admission in schools which were more than 6 km away from their homes. One resident of Asarwa, Karnawati has his child’s admission in school 25 KM away from home!

But Gujarat Government has made a bold initiative regarding school fee. It passed Gujarat Self Financed Schools (Regulation Of Fees) Bill, 2017 on March 30. Under this law, all Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary schools affiliated under CBSE, International Board, ICSE Board and State Board will be covered. The State Government decided maximum ceiling fee that schools can charge. For primary it is Rs. 15,000, for Secondary it is Rs 25,000 and for Higher Secondary i.e. std 11 and 12, it is Rs 27,000.

While tabling bill, education minister Shree Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, “Donations are being forced beyond imagination. Schools decide which brand of shoes to buy and from which shop. The sale outlets of these brands are set up within the school compound and the parents are forced to buy uniforms, water bags, shoes, school bags, etc. If rules under this new law are not followed ,there is a provision for fines ranging from Rs 5-10 lakh and cancellation of affiliation.

When contacted on phone, Education Minister Shree Chudasama said, “This bill is not against private schools, but at the same time, any system can’t be run uncontrolled. How can a parent having Rs. 5,000 to 10 ,000 monthly income afford paying fee of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh?”

Under this legislation, a Fee Regulatory Committees will also be formed in four zones of Gujarat that will keep a tab on the school fees. Committee will be headed by retired District Judge. Gujarat Government is firm to implement this new Law from this academic session itself.

However, school administrators are opposing this law. Some of them have challenged this law in Gujarat High court. They argue that fee decided by the government is very low. The Government has not considered the education given with quality and facilities, salaries paid to teachers and other staffers. But those who are aware of education sector know better that teachers in private schools have one salary on paper and other given actually.  Apparently, they want to pressure the government as well as parents as academic session has been started from June. Under this law, there is a prohibition on charging any donation or capitation fee. If any parent pays donation voluntarily, he/she has to inform Fee Regulation Committee.

Shree Bhaskarbhai Patel, spokesman of Gujarat State School Management Association says, “It is very clear. Education is in concurrent list in constitution. What type of education should be there, rules regarding teachers, school fee are subject to Government decision. Private schools have crossed limits regarding fees. Education has become business instead of service or mission. So restrictions are necessary.” Bhaskarbhai thinks that this law is applicable to schools falling under CBSE also.

Dr Akshay Aggarwal has his broad opinion on education. Talking from Canada, former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Technical University (GTU) says, “Education  has been commercialized all over the country. 90 percent education is in hands of private managers. Education has become very costly for poor and middle class children. Very few children come forward for getting education in good schools but they go abroad for better prospects. Many children have to strive for good education. In present situation, government regulation was  the only solution. We have our dress torn and we wear it with darn. This will not lead to better production of citizens. We have to think about education system from very roots. We have to make policies which reflect our country’s ancient heritage and culture instead of coping foreign policies.”

Good thing is that Central Government is mulling over Gujarat model to slash school fees across India. According to a report of CNBC Awaaz, Union HRD  Minister Prakash Javadekar has asked for the details of the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Bill 2017.