A discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly turned into a verbal duel when Gujarat Minister of State for Co-operation Jagdish Vishwakarma made veiled references about encroachments on government land in Ahmedabad, Dwarka, and Somnath.
In his address on Tuesday, Vishwakarma asserted that members of “one community,” who he implied had the backing of local politicians, had a hand in the encroachments in these regions. His remarks were perceived as a critique on a minority community.
He broached the subject of encroachment removal around the Chandola Lake and Bhadra area in Ahmedabad. “When authorities went to clear the area around the Bhadra Kali mata temple where a yatra will be carried out tomorrow (Wednesday), there were people of only one community (as encroachers). Similarly, in Dwarka, there were people of only one community; Somnath, people of only one community. Speaker sir, behind these encroachments, it is the hand of leaders of one community,” he was quoted as saying.
Vishwakarma mentioned that since 2002, the state has become quite peaceful. Youngsters born after 2022 are not aware of communal violence and curfews.
Additionally, he highlighted the state’s advancements, pointing out that Gujarat annually celebrates holidays like Rath Yatra and Muharram with communal togetherness and equal fervour.
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, the assembly’s sole representative from the minority committee, was immediately incensed. He objected to the minister’s comments, saying they unjustly singled out a certain community for unlawful encroachments. Although Vishwakarma denied specifically mentioning the minority community, he maintained that illegal constructions and encroachments were particularly common in regions where one particular population lived.
Vishwakarma also accused Khedawala of not recognising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the country’s leader, which escalated the conflict. He went on to say that “bad thoughts” might destroy a person’s life, comparing them to tainted water that is unhealthy.
He also accused Congress leaders of supporting RTI activists who were allegedly working under their influence and funding.
Khedawala told a section of the media, “I will speak against these accusations and targeting of a particular community by the Minister in the House in the coming days. The way they have targeted the Muslim community citing encroachments…is not acceptable at all…The bulldozer policy should not be for one community but for everyone equally and alike. He targeted a community, he should apologise. A minister should not be doing this.”
He added: “Encroachment on government land is illegal and should be removed but I protest against the demolition of properties under Wakf Board. We object to the recent one by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to widen a road in Gomtipur where a cemetery and dargah were demolished.”
In his speech, Vishwakarma praised the transformative leadership of PM Modi, saying the latter’s vision changed the face of Gujarat’s politics, shifting it towards growth. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to the idea of “Developed Gujarat through Developed India,” under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
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