Gujarat Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, however, reiterated that it is not possible to extend reservation to Patidars, or any other community for the matter, because of Supreme Court cap.
At present, Gujarat has about 48 per cent reservation, which includes 27 per cent for OBCs, 14 per cent for Scheduled Tribes, and 7 per cent for Scheduled Castes.
The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission's recommendation to extend reservation to Marathas has come as a shot in the arm for Patidars, who have been demanding the same in Gujarat.
"Both Maharashtra, and Gujarat are ruled by BJP. If Maharashtra can give reservation to Marathas, why can't Gujarat government to Patidars," Hardik Patel, who has emerged as the face of Patidar quota stir in the past three-and-a-half years, said.
Gujarat Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, however, reiterated that it is not possible to extend reservation to Patidars, or any other community for the matter, because of Supreme Court cap.
"Different states have announced reservation for one or the other community over the years, but they have all been scrapped by Supreme Court and high courts," he said, while asking the Patidar community to approach the state's OBC Commission "as done in Maharashtra".
The demand for Patidar reservation, though not a new one, became a mainstream political issue only in 2015, when a group of Patel youths, led by Hardik, who was just 22 at the time, virtually stormed the scene.
The prospects of reservation came as a great unifier for a community grappling with poor returns from farming, and shrinking job opportunities. Hardik and others went around the state, mobilising support for the demand.
Rallying around Hardik, lakhs of Patidars from across the state participated in a Maharally in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2015. The massive show of strength culminated peacefully, but violence erupted at several places after police allegedly resorted to lathicharge at the protestors (in his court statement on November 20, Hardik likened the police atrocity to Jallianwala Bagh incident). Fourteen Patidar youths lost their lives in alleged police brutalities during the violence.
Fearing alienation of Patidars, a community primarily responsible for its rise to the top in Gujarat, the BJP government, then headed by Anandiben Patel, announced 10 per cent reservation for economically backward classes among upper castes in April 2016.
However, things were back to square one four months hence, as Gujarat High Court dubbed the move as unconstitutional, and scrapped it. The state's appeal before Supreme Court is pending.
Poor handling of Patidar crisis cost Anandiben Patel her job as CM, who resigned in August, paving the way for Vijay Rupani's appointment.
In September 2017, three months before the Assembly elections, in a bid to placate Patidars, state government approved a Corporation, which would provide loans and subsidies to communities which were outside the ambit of reservation.
The BJP just scraped through in Gujarat elections, winning 99 out of 182 seats - its worst returns in three decades – a performance many attribute to alienation of Patidar voters. Its candidates lost in many of the Patidar-dominated seats.
Almost a year later, things haven't changed much as demand for reservation for Patidars continues to haunt the Gujarat government.
In the interim, Hardik went on an indefinite hunger strike on August 25, the third anniversary of the Maharally. He fasted for 19 days, but with no breakthrough in sight, and his health deteriorating, he called off the protest.
Six influential Patidar organisations had at the time announced that they would hold talks with the state to discuss issues raised by Hardik, but over three months later, no meeting has taken place. Many in the community feel that the episode dented Hardik's popularity.
Many top industrialists in Gujarat, especially in diamond and real estate sector, are Patidars. Many of them also have large holdings. However, community leaders say a large number of the community members need support.
"The total population of Patidars in Gujarat is 1.25 crore, of whom 5 lakh or so are well to do, but the rest are not," said activist Hemendra Patel, who has been fighting for Patidar reservation for over 25 years.
Hemendra Patel pointed out that Chaudhary Patels, who were also primarily into farming like Patidars, and had similar economic-social profile, were included in OBC, but not Patidars. "Patidars have been used as vote-bank by successive governments," he alleged.
Community insiders point out that the community has lost its dominance in the political space as BJP aggressively wooed OBCs ahead of elections.
"Earlier, the chief minister (Anandiben) was a Patidar. The finance, home, revenue, and other ministries were headed by Patidars. The deputy CM (Nitin Patel) is a Patidar, and so are a few other ministers, but the community doesn't command as much weight as it did even when Narendra Modi was CM," said an insider.
With Patidars unrelenting in their bid for reservation, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said earlier this week that his government would study the report of Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission before taking a decision.
"The Maharashtra government has just made announcement of reservation. We have sought details from them, and will study it, and see if it can be implemented in Gujarat," he said.
The Sardar Patel Group, another Patidar outfit which has been pressing for reservation, also wrote to CM on Friday and demanded reservation on the lines of Maharashtra.
GUJARAT
- Aug 25, 2015 Patidar Maharally in Ahmedabad, after which violence erupted in Ahmedabad and several other cities. Fourteen Patel youths died in violence
- Oct 2015 Hardik Patel was booked in a case of sedition, sent to jail
- April 2016 State government announced 10 per cent reservation for economically backward classes among upper castes
- July 2016 Hardik Patel released on bail after nine months in jail, but barred from entering the state for six months
- Aug 2016 Anandiben Patel resigned as CM, Vijay Rupani took over. Gujarat High Court scrapped 10 per cent quota
- Sept 2017 State govt approved a Commission and Corporation for communities which do not get reservation benefits
- Dec 2017 Gujarat went to polls, BJP returned to power, but with a very small majority. Party lost several Patidar-dominated seats
- Aug 2018 Hardik went on indefinite fast to press for reservation. Strike called off after 19 days in view of deteriorating health
- Nov 2018 Hardik, Patidars renewed quota demand after Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission spoke in favour of reservation for Marathas. CM Rupani said state government will study the report
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