Uttar Pradesh Governor and former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday spoke against relaxing liquor prohibition in Gujarat citing women’s safety and added that in Uttar Pradesh there are some places where women cannot move out freely even today.
Speaking at the launch of the Gujarati edition of a book on her life — Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand hai (I like Challenges) attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she equated him to Chanakya and added that he would advise even Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patel and Shah were Cabinet ministers during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat CM.
Anandiben spoke after Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who left soon after giving their speeches as they had to attend another event.
Speaking in Gujarati , Anandiben said: “The Home Minister just left for another event. We all know him… by the name of Chanakya. And he is indeed Chanakaya. (He knows) whom to promote and whom not to…”.
“He (Shah) would tell even Narendrabhai…this is what should be done. Because we used to sit together in the cabinet. These things suit him, not me. I have the soul of a teacher…I cannot indulge in anything else but teaching. All that is for him (Shah),” she said.
On liquor prohibition in Gujarat, she said: “I have heard that you are talking about opening (relaxing) darubandi in Gujarat. I have read it in newspapers. In our Gujarat, women can play garba till four in the night and it is because of darubandi. Whereas, in Uttar Pradesh, at some places, such is the situation that women cannot move out even today. We should think a lot before doing everything. What consequences will it bring…Look where families of those who remained ACS (additional chief secretaries) and CS (chief secretaries) here have settled (after retirement). Did they go back (to their home states) or settled in Gujarat? Why did they settle in Gujarat? Peace for (their) daughters, for women. And that peace cannot be allowed to be breached.”
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At the event earlier, Shah heaped praise on Patel, saying that she “patiently handled agitations”, a likely reference to the Patidar agitation of 2015.
Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region.
Expertise & Authority
Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues:
Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani.
Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters.
Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis:
State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys.
Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More
