New Delhi: In a dramatic flip of occasions in Ahmedabad, members of the Kshatriya neighborhood stirred controversy by threatening to carry out ‘jauhar’ (self-immolation) exterior the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar, demanding the withdrawal of Parshottam Rupala’s candidature over alleged anti-Rajput remarks. Police detained 5 girls together with Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana earlier than they may perform their plans.
Concurrently, protests erupted in varied elements of the state, together with a march in Rajkot and disruptions at an occasion attended by Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil in Jam Khambhalia city, the place demonstrators displayed black flags and voiced grievances in opposition to Rupala, a Union minister, reported information company PTI.
The BJP candidate from Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency, Rupala, ignited controversy that former ‘maharajas’ succumbed to persecution by overseas rulers and British colonialists, even marrying off their daughters to them. This assertion drew a powerful objection from the Kshatriya neighborhood, predominantly comprised of Rajputs, who demanded Rupala’s withdrawal from the election race.
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Amid escalating tensions, 5 girls threatened to commit ‘jauhar’ exterior the state BJP headquarters Kamalam in Gandhinagar, prompting heightened safety measures by the police. Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana was additionally briefly detained earlier than he may meet the ladies to steer them in opposition to taking any excessive steps.
“He (Makrana) was launched within the night. The ladies, who have been prevented from leaving the home as heavy police pressure was deployed on the spot, later went again residence”, mentioned ACP (M division) AB Valand. Earlier than being apprehended by the police, Makrana expressed his intention to fulfill with the Kshatriya girls to dissuade them from resorting to excessive measures akin to committing jauhar.
Rajputs Are Conventional Vote Financial institution Of BJP: Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena President Makrana
Addressing reporters at a press convention, he asserted that the agitation in opposition to Rupala’s candidature could be escalated throughout the state. “Rajputs are a conventional vote financial institution of BJP. If Brahmin and Bania have historically supported the BJP; Rajputs have additionally performed an enormous position. Thus far Rajputs have voted for the BJP. But when for a single individual, Modiji is able to lose energy on the Centre, then let or not it’s so”, he remarked, as per PTI.
In Rajkot, members of the Kshatriya neighborhood organised a rally to current a memorandum to the district election officer, signaling their discontent over the candidature of Rupala. One other assembly convened in Rajkot resulted within the determination to launch demonstrations statewide beneath the banner of “Operation Rupala” till their calls for are addressed. Leaders resolved that if Rupala proceeds to file his nomination papers, 400 Kshatriya neighborhood members would contest in opposition to him.
Additionally they advocated for poll paper voting within the Rajkot constituency, the place Rupala is contesting. Moreover, plans have been made to determine a district-level committee to spearhead protests throughout the state, with claims of garnering assist from various neighborhood members. Regardless of Rupala’s apology and efforts from senior state leaders, the Kshatriya neighborhood stays resolute of their demand for his removing as a BJP candidate and punitive measures for his remarks.