Rajkot, April 3, 2024: The political landscape in Gujarat’s Rajkot constituency has been set ablaze by a controversy surrounding Union Minister Parshottam Rupala. His alleged remarks about Kshatriya rulers marrying their daughters to the British have ignited a firestorm of protests within the influential community. As the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate for Rajkot, Rupala finds himself at the center of a tempest that refuses to subside.
The Controversy Unleashed
On March 23, a video surfaced on social media showing Rupala addressing a Dalit event in Rajkot. In his speech, he reportedly stated, “Other also ruled us. So did the British and…they spared nothing to persecute (us). Even the kings bowed down. They (kings) broke bread with them (British) and married their daughters to them. But our Rukhi (Dalit) community neither changed their religion nor established such ties though they were persecuted the most.”
This statement, particularly the reference to Kshatriya rulers’ marriages with the British, struck a nerve. Various Kshatriya organizations, led by Kshatriya Karni Sena under Raj Shekhawat’s leadership, reacted vehemently. Effigies of Rupala were set ablaze across the state, and the demand for his withdrawal as the BJP’s candidate grew louder.
Kshatriya Community’s Fury
The Kshatriya community, which has historically supported the party in power, now stands divided. Prominent Kshatriya faces like P.T. Jadeja, Akhil Gujarat Rajput Yuva Sangh’s international president, Padminiba Vala, president of Mahila Karni Sena, Gujarat, and Raj Shekhawat, chief of Kshatriya Karni Sena, have spearheaded the protests. Their demand is clear: Rupala must be replaced as the candidate for Rajkot.
Modi’s Special Visit
As the controversy rages on, the BJP’s core committee meetings have failed to quell the anger. In a strategic move, the party is now turning to its most influential leader: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources indicate that Modi is planning a special visit to Rajkot to intervene personally. His involvement is seen as a last-ditch effort to douse the flames of dissent and restore unity within the party.
The Volcanic Eruption
Despite Rupala’s apologies, the controversy refuses to die down. Kshatriya leaders in Surendranagar have called for a ban on Rupala’s election meetings. In Rajkot, three Kshatriya men were arrested for burning Rupala’s effigy, leading to further tensions.
The stakes are high, and the BJP’s electoral prospects in Rajkot hang in the balance. Will Modi’s intervention be enough to quell the volcanic eruption? Only time will tell as the political drama unfolds in this crucial constituency.
