Members of the Kshatriya community stirred controversy by threatening to perform ‘jauhar’ (self-immolation) outside the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar, demanding the withdrawal of Parshottam Rupala’s candidature over alleged anti-Rajput remarks. Police detained five women along with Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana before they could carry out their plans.
Simultaneously, protests erupted in various parts of the state, including a march in Rajkot and disruptions at an event attended by Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil in Jam Khambhalia town, where demonstrators displayed black flags and voiced grievances against Rupala, a Union minister.
The BJP candidate from Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency, Rupala, ignited controversy that former ‘maharajas’ succumbed to persecution by foreign rulers and British colonialists, even marrying off their daughters to them. This statement drew a strong objection from the Kshatriya community, predominantly comprised of Rajputs, who demanded Rupala’s withdrawal from the election race.
Amid escalating tensions, five women threatened to commit ‘jauhar’ outside the state BJP headquarters Kamalam in Gandhinagar, prompting heightened security measures by the police. Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana was also briefly detained before he could meet the women to persuade them against taking any extreme steps.
“He (Makrana) was released in the evening. The women, who were prevented from leaving the house as heavy police force was deployed at the spot, later went back home”, said ACP (M division) AB Valand. Before being apprehended by the police, Makrana expressed his intention to meet with the Kshatriya women to dissuade them from resorting to extreme measures such as committing jauhar.
Addressing reporters at a press conference, he asserted that the agitation against Rupala’s candidature would be escalated across the state. “Rajputs are a traditional vote bank of BJP. If Brahmin and Bania have traditionally supported the BJP; Rajputs have also played a big role. So far Rajputs have voted for the BJP. But if for a single person, Modiji is ready to lose power at the Centre, then let it be so”, he remarked, as per PTI.
In Rajkot, members of the Kshatriya community organised a rally to present a memorandum to the district election officer, signaling their discontent over the candidature of Rupala. Another meeting convened in Rajkot resulted in the decision to launch demonstrations statewide under the banner of “Operation Rupala” until their demands are addressed. Leaders resolved that if Rupala proceeds to file his nomination papers, 400 Kshatriya community members would contest against him.
They also advocated for ballot paper voting in the Rajkot constituency, where Rupala is contesting. Furthermore, plans were made to establish a district-level committee to spearhead protests across the state, with claims of garnering support from diverse community members. Despite Rupala’s apology and efforts from senior state leaders, the Kshatriya community remains resolute in their demand for his removal as a BJP candidate and punitive measures for his remarks.
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