Hardik Patel faces tough question at Gurjar meeting

NEW DELHI: Hardik Patel’s ongoing attempts at seeking support from Jats became a bone of contention at a Gurjar meeting in Delhi on Sunday afternoon. His speech was repeatedly interrupted by representatives of different Gurjar groups.

Taking on Hardik and the organiser’s, Rajendra Mavi, national president of All India Gurjar Mahasabha asked, “Those sitting on the dais (Hardik) with you have joined hands with Jats; they have (taken stand) against reservations in the Supreme Court. At what price have you bought their character over?”

He interrupted Patel barely minutes after the latter had begun speaking. Representatives of the All India Gurjar Vikas Parishad, which organised the event, soon forced the rival out of the conference hall.

Patel was speaking at the event after announcing his attention of organising a protest in the national capital to journalists.

The 22-year-old leader of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) used a relatively toned-down approach during his more than 20 minute address and sought to emphasise on building an organisation. “We are not against SCs, STs and OBCs. Our fight is for our rights,” he told a gathering of largely Gurjars and some Kurmis. Gurjars are classified as ST in some states.

Despite a much received speech, trouble returned for Patel soon after his speech concluded in the form of sharper questions: “Why did you not come to us when 70 Gurjars were killed in Rajasthan protesting for reservations”; “Sardar Patel was himself a Gurjar. Patels are Gurjars. Will you admit it from this stage?”

Cornered, Patel did not respond directly but said he sympathized with Gurjar’s claims and demands. He made no mention of his attempts at seeking support from Jats, nor shared much detail about how he was planning to build an all-India organisation of linked castes for pushing demand of inclusion as OBCs.