Ahmedabad moving towards societal fragmentation: Author

Ahmedabad is moving towards social fragmentation, be it between religions or different castes of Hindu religion, said Saroop Dhruv, during the launch of her book Safarnama, depicting the evolution of Ahmedabad, even before it was known as Karnavati. She lamented that the bonds between the different groups are weakening and if this continues, the future may be dim for the youth.

Published by 'Darshan', this the fifth series of Safarnama, focussing on Ahmedabad, while the previous ones covered Saurashtra, Kutch, north Gujarat and south Gujarat. It covers aspects of Ahmedabad's evolution, right from the time of sage Dadhichi, who donated his bones for making weapons for the Gods in their fight against demons. It is said that sage Dadhichi sacrificed himself for what is now Ahmedabad. The book covers the tales when the city was known as Karnavati, the Sultanate period, Mughal rule, Maratha rule, British rule, Gandhian era and post independence Ahmedabad.

Dhruv said that the city (basically citizens) is no longer what it used to be. "All the social development that took place during the Gandhian era is on the decline. The value systems, particularly social justice, liberation of women, liberal thinking is now on a terminal decline. If not stopped, the future is very dim," she warned.

Citing an incident of the fighting spirit of Ahmedabadis, Saroop said that during the Maratha rule, when a local 'Bhat' women was molested, people had beaten to death two persons who had incited the act. 

Another thing that hurts Dhruv is the lack of debate even after undergoing religion and caste-based riots. 

"There is no debate in media, among politicians, academicians or elsewhere," she said. Dhruv is also sad with the way the heritage of the city is being commercialised or the fact that one has to pay to enter Kankaria lake.