The political heat around the Bagdana controversy is showing no signs of cooling, with fresh meetings of the Koli community highlighting both anger on the ground and emerging internal differences.
While community leaders reiterated demands for justice, the absence of a key MLA from one such meeting has sparked speculation about divisions within one of Gujarat’s most influential social groups.
A large gathering of the Koli community was held in Bhavnagar to discuss the Bagdana issue, even after the arrest of Jayraj Ahir, son of Mayabhai Ahir. Speakers at the meeting said the arrest alone was not enough and demanded that justice be ensured in letter and spirit. However, the meeting drew attention for a different reason as well — local MLA Hirabhai Solanki, despite being invited, did not attend. His absence quickly became a talking point, with several attendees interpreting it as a sign of growing differences within the community over how the issue should be taken forward.
Almost simultaneously, a meeting of the regional executive of the Koli community was held in Gandhinagar, where the tone was far more combative. Leaders issued a clear warning that if the interests and dignity of the Koli community are not safeguarded in the coming days, the agitation could be expanded into a statewide movement. The message from Gandhinagar was unambiguous: the community’s patience is wearing thin.
The Bagdana controversy, which erupted following the Navneet Baldhia case, has become a rallying point for the community. Leaders at the Gandhinagar meeting stressed that the issue was no longer about an individual incident or a single accused, but about what they described as repeated injustice and disrespect towards the community. “This is a fight for honour,” one leader said, adding that the community would not allow the issue to be diluted or forgotten.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Hirabhai Solanki said the Koli community had reached a new level of political awareness. Referring to the Navneet Baldhia case, he remarked that it was only one trigger, and that the real struggle was between justice and injustice. He warned that if the community united and took to the streets, no force would be able to ignore its demands.
The Navneet Baldhia case is widely seen as the flashpoint that triggered the larger Bagdana controversy and galvanised the Koli community across Gujarat. What began as a specific incident involving a member of the community soon came to be viewed as emblematic of deeper grievances, including alleged injustice, discrimination and misuse of power. Community leaders argue that the issue is no longer about one individual or one case, but about safeguarding the dignity and rights of the Koli community as a whole, which is why protests and meetings have continued even after arrests were made.
The controversy intensified with the arrest of Jayraj Ahir, son of influential leader Mayabhai Ahir, in connection with the Bagdana incident. While the arrest was projected as a key action by authorities, Koli leaders maintain that it does not fully address the concerns raised by the community. They allege that accountability must extend beyond one arrest and insist that the broader issues highlighted by the Baldhia case — fairness, justice and equal treatment — must be resolved to restore confidence and calm the situation.
Another Koli MLA echoed this sentiment, saying the manner in which the community stood together during the Baldhia case had sent a strong message across Gujarat. “The state has now seen what the Koli community is capable of when it acts as one,” the MLA said.
Former community president Ajit Patel used the occasion to underline the political rise of the Koli community over the years. He recalled that there was a time when the community was allotted just two election tickets in Bhavnagar district. “Through organisation and unity, that number rose to 11 tickets, and we won,” he said, presenting it as proof of the community’s growing political clout.
The Koli community occupies a crucial place in Gujarat’s political landscape, particularly in coastal and rural regions such as Bhavnagar, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Junagadh and parts of Saurashtra. With a significant population base and strong local networks, Koli voters are often seen as decisive in several Assembly constituencies. Political parties across the spectrum have traditionally courted the community, especially during elections, aware that shifts in Koli support can alter outcomes.
Over the years, the community has also built a strong organisational structure, enabling it to mobilise quickly around social and political issues. From demanding representation to raising questions of justice and identity, Koli leaders have increasingly positioned themselves as a force that cannot be taken lightly. Recent events around Bagdana appear to have further sharpened this collective assertiveness.
However, the absence of MLA Hirabhai Solanki from the Bhavnagar meeting has added a new layer of complexity. While leaders in Gandhinagar spoke of unity and collective strength, the Bhavnagar episode has raised questions about internal coordination and leadership alignment within the community.
As the Bagdana controversy continues to resonate, all eyes are now on how the Koli leadership bridges these apparent gaps — and whether the warnings of a statewide movement translate into action in the days ahead.
Also Read: Existential Struggle Between 3 Gujarat BJP Leaders For Control Over 22% Koli Community https://www.vibesofindia.com/existential-struggle-between-3-gujarat-bjp-leaders-for-control-over-22-koli-community/
