On Tuesday morning Ashis Ray, one of the senior most Indian journalists based in London asked me, "Are Patels now anti-Modi?" It's a straight forward question and the simple answer is no.
Before I discuss about the demands of Patels of Gujarat let me say clearly, dialogue, and not death and destruction is the solution.
Horrible things are happening in Ahmedabad and other cities and towns in Gujarat. A very large public meeting of possibly a million mainly young people, was very peaceful and disciplined.
In his speech Hardik Patel was, as far as I know, expressing the concerns of the young Patels about education, career and job opportunities.
Ahmedabad, in the recent past has not experienced such a huge gathering which dispersed almost peacefully. Somehow for whatever reasons, Hardik Patel was detained. In this age of social media, within no time the news spread through out Gujarat and other parts of India. Despicable acts of vandalism and perhaps over reaction from the police is making me extremely worried. By now 5 people have lost their lives including one policeman. One father and son travelling on their bike in Ahmedabad became victims of police bullet. Government property, buses and other premises have been destroyed. Whatever may be the grievances, and whatever may be the limitations of the people in power, dialogue is the only solution.
I would have preferred to write about what is Anamat (reservation). What are the demands of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samitee (PAAS), a campaign to remove the disadvantages of those not be included in the reservation quota.
Who and how many are Patels? Patel is a global diaspora.
How many in the UK? What are their views? What is the reservation itself?
There are several other allied issues but it is only possible to write about them in the forthcoming editions of Asian voice.
Reservation itself is a very complex and complicated issue, bothering India for the last 60 odd years. It is also important to remember that the present agitation by PAAS, is strongly supported by other castes like Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaniks, Lohanas and Sindhis who have a large number living in Gujarat since migration from Sindh, during partition. So the present agitation is not of Patels alone. Other castes who feel that they are deprived have joined PAAS.
During the freedom struggle, Gandhiji was concerned about the age old discrimination, deprivation and exploitation of the Dalits all over India. Untouchability is sadly not confined within Hindu communities. It us there, as it was before, within the followers of other faiths, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians et all.
During the Constitution Assembly deliberation, discussions took place for some provision to enable Dalits to have a level playing field. At one stage it was not the caste, but the emphasis was on the socio economic criteria. By 1950 the constitution was amended and everybody knows that Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Patel and leading leaders helped to amend the constitution for a provision of reservation policy for 10 years. It was initially for Dalits, Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes were added for only 10 years. Every 10 year Parliament renewed the provision. Over the period Mandal commission report rather than solving the problem, added fuel to the fire. The politicians have no compunction to use any opportunity to gain power and Mr V P Singh took full advantage.
In Gujarat Bakshi Commission added a large number of caste and a new category developed called Other Backward Class. As of now Gujarat, reservation quota is 49%. Recently Jains, Gurjars and in some states Muslims have been added to the reservation. Patels and other castes mentioned above, especially younger generation are really upto their neck. I will repeat again, violence is not the way, but the long term or permanent solution is with Parliament and the Government in power.
There are definitely several reasons to make special provisions for Dalits, or such communities or group of people who have been deprived of equal opportunities. But the caste based reservation itself is more of a hindrance than help.
The ideal solution is o create a formula to elevate the age old disadvantage based on socio-economic criteria as it has happened in several Western democracies for the removal of discrimination and create equal opportunities.
Today I am genuinely very worried, not only because of my family name, but for India, the development path does not deserve such death, destruction or deviation. Let's all pray for peace and once the calm has prevailed, let the people in power (politicians, academicians, media and others) ponder the most appropriate way ahead. I must add that Patels and other communities which are protesting are as nationalist and loyal citizens of India as anyone else.
Dialogue, not death and destruction is the solution.
- CB
