Gujarat government recalls 167 cases against Patidars, sparks row

The Gujarat government has revoked the 167 cases filed against the Patidars in north Gujarat's Palanpur during the Patidar Andolan of 2015, which sought Other Backward Class (OBC) status for the community.

The government's move has sparker a furore with leaders demanding revoking cases against minorities and other backward classes in the state.

Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani pointed out the cases filed against Dalits in the Una incident, the charges related to the self-immolation of Bhanubhai Vankar, and the cases against minorities in Vadgam concerning the CAA-NRC issue. He also mentioned the legal troubles faced by tribals in Kevadia Colony in matters of land acquisition.

“If immediate action is not taken in this direction, we will protest,” Mevani added.

In Jasdan-Vinchhiya, considered the stronghold of Cabinet minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, a large convention of the Koli-Thakor community was held on Sunday.  Following the murder of a Koli youth in the Vinchhiya region and the subsequent clash with the police, demands were made to withdraw the police cases.  The BJP's Koli-Thakor community leaders and the state government were publicly criticised on this and other issues.

On the occasion, Banaskantha Congress MP Geniben Thakor remarked, “You bring votes by saying ‘Our community has this many votes’ but why don’t elected leaders say ‘Our community has been wronged, and get them  justice’ after winning?”