What the Patel agitation for OBC status shows: Caste politics is back
9 years, 7 months ago

What the Patel agitation for OBC status shows: Caste politics is back

Firstpost  

The landslide victory of the Bhartiya Janata Party in the 2014 parliamentary elections had led people to believe that religion had triumphed over caste. The cacophony of caste based demands and caste based politics had been dissolved by the assertion of a ‘Hindu’ India. Instead, democratization, as Ashutosh Varshney, in his book, Battles Half Won: India’s Improbable Democracy points out, empowered groups that had hitherto been excluded from India’s polity and even socio-cultural firmament. Varshney held that, in contrast to hypotheses trotted out by standard democratization and modernization theory, in India, it was the ‘plebeians’ that turned out to vote in large numbers than the educated middle classes. Given all this, and grafting the Patel demand onto these themes, what inferences can be made about India’s politics?

Politics Nature India Gujarat Based Demand Bjp Group Patel Obc Hindutva Caste Based Politics Group Interest Shows Caste  shows  caste  group  status  politics  agitation  based  indias  obc  patel  nature  demand  hindutva  india

History of this topic

How the deepening Patel family rift threatens to rattle BJP in UP
2 months, 3 weeks ago

How the deepening Patel family rift threatens to rattle BJP in UP

India Today  

Family disputes are common in Indian politics, but the deepening rift between Union minister Anupriya Patel and sister Pallavi Patel is threatening to escalate into a major headache for the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh. While Anupriya rose to prominence as a BJP ally, winning her Mirzapur seat in 2014 and securing a position as Union minister, Krishna Patel’s faction …

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Caste Aspersions’: Here’s The Congress Strategy Behind Halwa Ceremony Bitter Note
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Caste Aspersions’: Here’s The Congress Strategy Behind Halwa Ceremony Bitter Note

News 18  

The Congress has struck a bitter note in the halwa ceremony before the Budget presentation, with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi raising the issue of caste of the officers seen with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Senior Congress leader and Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi hit out at the BJP saying: “It is clear that the government has no intention whatsoever to …

Amnesty’s anti-Modi Aakar Patel supports riot accused Umar Khalid: History of biases and compromising democracy to achieve favourable outcomes
1 year, 4 months ago

Amnesty’s anti-Modi Aakar Patel supports riot accused Umar Khalid: History of biases and compromising democracy to achieve favourable outcomes

Op India  

Recently I stumbled upon a post by Aakar Patel on X where he declared that “locking up a man indefinitely without conviction is not democracy it’s tyranny.” It brought back memories of some of his earlier views that may have receded from the public consciousness. Not-So-Attractive Views Aakar Patel’s claim to infamy was his assertion that ‘Gujarati women find Narendra …

Book Excerpt: The Lesser-Known Patel's Fight for Inter-Caste Marriage
1 year, 10 months ago

Book Excerpt: The Lesser-Known Patel's Fight for Inter-Caste Marriage

The Quint  

Mitta's book is a legal history of caste discrimination and caste reforms in the colonial and postcolonial India.) His more famous younger brother, Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first deputy prime minister, has been posthumously appropriated by Hindu nationalists. Tabled in the Imperial Legislative Council on 5 September 1918, the bill boldly went where no one had gone before, the final frontier …

Aakar Patel | The caste factor and the BJP-RSS’ Hindutva politics in today’s India
2 years, 3 months ago

Aakar Patel | The caste factor and the BJP-RSS’ Hindutva politics in today’s India

Deccan Chronicle  

The 103rd Constitution Amendment, which was upheld by the Supreme Court recently, has been appreciated by our middle class, the core votaries of Hindutva. “Nirakar and Nirgun and all that leads us nowhere.” Idol worship, he said, “does not satisfy us who are full of activity… We want a ‘living’ god, which will engross us in activity and invoke powers …

Political Line | Hardik, Alpesh, Dimple, Kedar: caste tales from Gujarat, U.P., Bihar
2 years, 3 months ago

Political Line | Hardik, Alpesh, Dimple, Kedar: caste tales from Gujarat, U.P., Bihar

The Hindu  

A rainbow caste coalition The transformation of the Bharata Janata Party’s Hindutva politics under Narendra Modi is multilayered, but one defining feature is its ability to subsume caste identities. In Gujarat, the BJP’s rainbow caste coalition remains functional though discontent seethes underneath. Giving clearer signals about how caste dynamics is working in the heartland was the bypoll in Kurhani Assembly …

Aakar Patel | Sardar worked differently from Nehru, but had the same ideals
2 years, 3 months ago

Aakar Patel | Sardar worked differently from Nehru, but had the same ideals

Deccan Chronicle  

We are in the middle of yet another election cycle and the matter of Jawaharlal Nehru versus Sardar Patel has returned. This newspaper had a headline a few weeks ago, reporting a speech by the Union home minister: “Had Sardar Patel been India’s 1st PM, many problems would not have occurred: Shah”. The key fact to consider in the Nehru …

Aakar Patel | From secular to communal: The changing story of India & Pakistan
2 years, 9 months ago

Aakar Patel | From secular to communal: The changing story of India & Pakistan

Deccan Chronicle  

My initial column writing for many years was for Pakistani newspapers. The law enforcing zakat by debiting 2.5 per cent from bank accounts of Pakistan’s Sunnis failed as people withdrew their money just before it was due to happen. But Pakistan’s judges, trained in common law like India’s, were reluctant to pass these sentences and so the laws remained frozen …

Caste groups begin mobilisation drives ahead of polls in Gujarat
3 years ago

Caste groups begin mobilisation drives ahead of polls in Gujarat

The Hindu  

Ahead of Assembly polls in Gujarat this year, various castes groups have begun mobilisation drives to push for their demands such as having better representation and a larger say in the State’s politics. Those who attended the meeting included the community’s leading social worker Naresh Patel, whose putative political debut is being hotly speculated and discussed in the State’s political …

Aakar Patel | Bigotry misfit in modern world: What direction is India headed?
3 years, 4 months ago

Aakar Patel | Bigotry misfit in modern world: What direction is India headed?

Deccan Chronicle  

For many years, I had the opportunity to visit and study Pakistan and also to write for its newspapers. Even today, Pakistan's laws are largely the same as India's and the residents of Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar are familiar with things like Sections 420, 302 and 144. The punishments remained on the books but the State, which was a modern …

Aakar Patel | How the world sees India is changing not for the better
3 years, 11 months ago

Aakar Patel | How the world sees India is changing not for the better

Deccan Chronicle  

What sort of India is the present generation growing up in and what will they live through? India’s urban unemployment is at a historic high and, more important, the participation rate of India’s labour force -- meaning those who are employed or looking for work -- is at a historic low. Within India our politics has become dark and election …

Aakar Patel incites Indian Muslims to demand separate electorates
4 years, 7 months ago

Aakar Patel incites Indian Muslims to demand separate electorates

Op India  

Former head of Amnesty India, which claims to be a humanitarian organisation, Aakar Patel, has decided it is time for him channel the spirit of Mohammed Ali Jinnah and make an elaborate defence for the creation of Pakistan. During an elaborate meltdown on micro-blogging site Twitter, Aakar Patel said it was time for Muslims in India to demand proportional representation …

Ambedkar Jayanti: In 2019, casteism was the only hope of ‘liberals’ to stop Modi
4 years, 11 months ago

Ambedkar Jayanti: In 2019, casteism was the only hope of ‘liberals’ to stop Modi

Op India  

What did Dr. Ambedkar want? Read: Why are Muslims, including the Tablighi Jamaat indulging in violence and defying lockdown: The answer lies in what Babasaheb Ambedkar said In Maharashtra, India’s second most populous state, the strategy was quite similar. This means that the Congress 2017 Assembly election strategy was built around courting Kadva Patels, projecting Modi as pro-Leuva Patels. This …

Patel statue and pillage of history
6 years, 3 months ago

Patel statue and pillage of history

The Hindu  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Hence, borrowing from Ernesto Laclau, the political theorist, it would not be wrong to characterise the terms “Hindu” and “Indian” as competing empty signifiers that could seek to produce nationalist ideology and the attendant populism. Hence, “Hindu” is more of a demographic locative appellate than a substantial attribute to a …

Chanakya's View: A befitting tribute to Patel was long overdue
6 years, 4 months ago

Chanakya's View: A befitting tribute to Patel was long overdue

Deccan Chronicle  

As far as I am concerned, a befitting tribute to the Iron Man of India was long overdue. Or, maybe, the Congress is annoyed at the “appropriation” of Sardar Patel by PM Narendra Modi and the BJP. For too long, the Nehru-Gandhi family has tended to monopolise all such tributes, and by doing so, has pushed to the relative margins …

Opinion | The Bharatiya Janata Party’s search for a hero
6 years, 4 months ago

Opinion | The Bharatiya Janata Party’s search for a hero

Live Mint  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept at least one of the promises he had made in the run up to the 2014 parliamentary elections—of installing in Gujarat what will briefly be the world’s tallest statue, honouring one of the state’s illustrious leaders, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first home minister. There is also the speculation, popular within circles close to the …

Decoding the Patel factor in Gujarat election
7 years, 4 months ago

Decoding the Patel factor in Gujarat election

ABP News  

The Patidars in Gujarat are in the limelight today and are happy flexing their electoral muscle. Travelling across Ahmedabad to Patan to Mehsana and the hinterlands, this columnist spoke to several Patel community members on their demand for reservations and support to Hardik Patel. How then has the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel managed such traction when members …

The importance of Hardik Patel: How the Patidar leader will affect chances of BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena in Gujarat
7 years, 4 months ago

The importance of Hardik Patel: How the Patidar leader will affect chances of BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena in Gujarat

Firstpost  

Caste politics, like in every other state, play an important role in Gujarat too. The Congress has reportedly given three options to PAAS regarding the latter’s demand, even as the organisation’s members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. “We have rejected the Congress’ reservation offer under the Economically Backward Class as it is …

We are neither slaves of BJP, nor Congress, Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel tells India TV
7 years, 5 months ago

We are neither slaves of BJP, nor Congress, Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel tells India TV

India TV News  

Declaring that his movement's topmost priority was to ensure defeat of BJP in the forthcoming Gujarat elections, Patel quota movement leader Hardik Patel today said, he and his supporters "are neither slaves of BJP, nor Congress". Replying to questions in Chunav Manch, the daylong India TV conclave, the fiery Patel movement leader said: "Our main aim at the moment is …

Amit Shah says Patel quota movement in Gujarat is acquiring political colour
7 years, 6 months ago

Amit Shah says Patel quota movement in Gujarat is acquiring political colour

Firstpost  

BJP chief Amit Shah said organisers of the Patel quota stir in Gujarat were leaning towards “one political party”, an apparent reference to the Congress Ahmedabad: Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Sunday said organisers of the Patel quota stir in Gujarat were leaning towards “one political party”, an apparent reference to the Opposition Congress. Asked by a participant …

Will join politics if my community wants, says Hardik Patel as parties try to woo him
8 years, 8 months ago

Will join politics if my community wants, says Hardik Patel as parties try to woo him

India TV News  

Surat: Following his release from Surat jail after 10 months, Patel quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel gave indications of joining politics if his community wants, after which all political parties are trying to woo him to join them, apparently with an eye on the state Assembly polls next year. The 22-year-old firebrand leader, who is demanding inclusion of the Patel …

Patel stir: Anandiben grapples with quota fire, BJP falters in Gujarat
8 years, 11 months ago

Patel stir: Anandiben grapples with quota fire, BJP falters in Gujarat

Firstpost  

Ten months on, the Anandiben Patel government in Gujarat just does not know how to deal with the Patel agitation and thier demands for OBC quota. The last was on Sunday, when hordes of supporters of the Sardar Patel Group supported by Hardik’s PAAS laid siege to district jails in Mehsana, the home district of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and …

I doubt if you belong to Patel community: Hardik to Gujarat CM
9 years, 2 months ago

I doubt if you belong to Patel community: Hardik to Gujarat CM

India TV News  

Ahmedabad: Accusing the BJP of using Patels as a votebank, jailed quota agitation leader Hardik Patel in a letter to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel questioned whether she belonged to the community. In the letter, sent from Surat jail two days ago, Hardik has also accused the party of dumping several leaders from the community who refused to bow down. Hardik, …

Hindutva 2.0’s new caste challenge
9 years, 6 months ago

Hindutva 2.0’s new caste challenge

The Hindu  

“This is Mandal 2.0,”Lalu Prasad Yadav, addressing a rally in Bihar, pitching the forthcoming Assembly elections as a battle between forward and backward castes. The idea of a consolidated Hindu identity is essential to Mr. Modi’s politics, as much as its fragmentation into various caste identities is pivotal to the politics of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Nitish …

Will take agitation to national level says Hardik Patel – India TV
9 years, 6 months ago

Will take agitation to national level says Hardik Patel – India TV

India TV News  

New Delhi: Hardik Patel, the face of Patel quota stir in Gujarat, today announced plans for a nation-wide agitation seeking reservation for nearly “27 crore people” of various communities including Gujjars and Kurmis. “The day there is a proper blueprint on reservation, we can strengthen our country and take it to a new level.” Hardik, the convener of Patidar Anamat …

Hardik Patel's quota battle is only an excuse, a stick to beat Narendra Modi with
9 years, 7 months ago

Hardik Patel's quota battle is only an excuse, a stick to beat Narendra Modi with

Firstpost  

Modi’s haters are waiting for Emergency just like Modi’s fans are waiting for Achchhe Din. That is why, for a 21-year-old brought up in urban India, caste based reservations sound unfair and the post-Mandal injustice sounds very real. The way I see it, the real takeaway from Hardik Patel’s rise is not the politics around it, but that the next …

Hardik Patel rules out negotiations, says not against quota
9 years, 7 months ago

Hardik Patel rules out negotiations, says not against quota

The Hindu  

Hardik Patel, who has galvanised the dominant Patel community in Gujarat on the reservation demand, today threatened to intensify the agitation and decided to rope in Gujjars for support. While inclusion of the Patel community in the OBC category is the sole objective, he said he was not for abolition of the quota system but ruled out negotiations on the …

In Gujarat, special measures for poor among 'general castes'
9 years, 7 months ago

In Gujarat, special measures for poor among 'general castes'

Hindustan Times  

In a move with implications for the national debate on reservations, the Gujarat government will offer special packages for the economically backward among general castes in education as a way to 'quell the discontent among the young of upper castes'. "Many parties would have skirted around the issue but we have been clear since day 1 that additional reservation will …

OBC leaders oppose Patels’ demand
9 years, 7 months ago

OBC leaders oppose Patels’ demand

The Hindu  

Amid the demand by many communities for Other Backward Classes status, the one made by Patels, who have been on an agitation in Gujarat, stands out. Apart from the main question of why a prosperous community would demand the status and job reservations, the timing and even the semantics of the agitation have raised questions. While Janata Dal leader and …

A Patel writes about Reservations, Hardik Patel and Police Action
9 years, 7 months ago

A Patel writes about Reservations, Hardik Patel and Police Action

Op India  

Since the current issue of reservation is affecting my state and community I would like to express my thoughts on the issue. I don’t know whether my opinion matters or not but I can’t allow people like Hardik Patel and Aakar Patel and lutyenites acting as the representative voices on the issue merely because of their surname and “stature”. It …

Patel agitation turns Gujarat into a battlefield
9 years, 7 months ago

Patel agitation turns Gujarat into a battlefield

Live Mint  

New Delhi: A police constable in Surat was among nine persons killed, six in police firing, Wednesday in a violent turn to the Patel community’s agitation for other backward classes status and reservation in Gujarat, reported The Indian Express. The violent turn to the Patidar reservation stir and the rise of 21-year-old Hardik Patel as a formidable leader has come …

The angry Patels of Gujarat: Five possible reasons why Patidars want OBC status
9 years, 7 months ago

The angry Patels of Gujarat: Five possible reasons why Patidars want OBC status

Firstpost  

There is something sinister afoot in Gujarat. Being at the helm of affairs when the 2002 Gujarat riots happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be the best placed to sense the crisis that is evolving in his home state and its contours. The Patels had in many ways backed – through participation and with material support – the anti-reservation stir …

Patidar leader Hardik Patel: From obscurity to limelight in two months
9 years, 7 months ago

Patidar leader Hardik Patel: From obscurity to limelight in two months

The Hindu  

Two months ago, few had heard of Hardik Patel, a 22-year-old youth belonging to a middle class family from Viramgam town in Ahmedabad district, but now he has become a household name in Gujarat with his agitation seeking reservation benefits for the Patels, a politically and economically powerful community, galvanising the entire community. Mr. Patel has become the face of …

Know Hardik Patel, the firebrand leader demanding OBC status for Patel community
9 years, 7 months ago

Know Hardik Patel, the firebrand leader demanding OBC status for Patel community

India TV News  

New Delhi: 21-year-old Hardik Patel from Gujarat grabbed the headlines when he took to the streets demanding inclusion of Patel community in the Other Backward Castes quota. Addressing amass gathering at GDMC rally ground in Ahmedabad, Hardik Patel attacked Gujarat government for turning down their demand for giving OBC status to Patels and warned that protests would turn violent if …

Can't give reservation to Patel community, says Gujarat government
9 years, 7 months ago

Can't give reservation to Patel community, says Gujarat government

India TV News  

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday ruled out any reservation for Patel community citing the Constitution and Supreme Court judgements. The state government's decision came two days ahead of a mega rally called by the Patel community to press their demand for Other Backward Class status. "As per the Constitution and judgements of Supreme Court, we cannot make …

BJP knows little of Patel or poverty: Rahul
11 years, 1 month ago

BJP knows little of Patel or poverty: Rahul

The Hindu  

In a hard-hitting speech on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s home turf, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party represents the RSS ideology which killed Mahatma Gandhi, and showed scant respect for the poor while claiming to work for them. Sardar Patel said the RSS is a poisonous ideology that will destroy the soul of …

Sardar Patel banned RSS under pressure from Nehru: Advani
15 years, 7 months ago

Sardar Patel banned RSS under pressure from Nehru: Advani

The Hindu  

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Friday said the country’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, banned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and arrested its leaders after the assassination of Mahatama Gandhi “under pressure from Nehru.” At a press conference in Shimla, where the BJP’s three-day ‘chintan baithak’ concluded, party leader Sushma Swaraj quoted Mr. Advani …

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