‘Attempt to erase Sardar Patel’s name’: 10-day protest kicks off in Karamsad against inclusion in Anand civic body
BJP leaders from the district said the protesters were trying to mislead the people for political benefits.
4 min read
Former CM Shankarsinh Vaghela and Congress leader Paresh Dhanani with others at the protest, Sunday (Express Photo)Demanding “individual identity”, instead of amalgamation with the newly-formed Anand Municipal Corporation, for Karamsad — known as the ‘karmabhoomi’ of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — residents of the town began a 10-day sit-in protest on Sunday.
The protesters were joined by former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela as well as former Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Paresh Dhanani, who attacked the ruling party for “attempting to erase” the name of Sardar Patel.
Organised by the Sardar Samman Sankalp Andolan Committee, the protest began at the Sardar Patel chowk near the bus stand in Karamsad town, which was included as a part of the Anand Municipal Corporation on January 1.
Vaghela and Dhanani said that Karamsad should be “retained” as an individual civic body instead of being “diluted” as an area under Anand Municipal Corporation.
Vaghela said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to erase the name of Sardar Patel.
While authorities said that the decision to include Karamsad in the Anand civic body was taken in 2021, BJP leaders from the district said the protesters were trying to mislead the people for political benefits.
Vaghela said, “The influence and pride associated with Sardar Patel is being diluted…it is an attempt to annihilate his name by absorbing Karamsad into Anand civic body. This has been done in steps by first ceasing the Sardar Smruti grant, then changing the name of the (Motera) stadium in Ahmedabad… the nameplate of the Ahmedabad international airport (named after Sardar Patel) has been hidden away for unknown reasons and the massive statue of Sardar Patel (in Narmada district) is known as the Statue of Unity or SoU. Why could it not be called ‘Sardar pratima’?”
Vaghela added that he was against forming massive corporation bodies for public administration as it “did not reach” citizens of a large area. Vaghela said, “It is not in the interest of the citizens to have corporations for per 10 lakh population as most people do not get any benefits from or access to such bodies. Smaller areas of administration can serve people much better. Therefore, I am backing the demand of the people. They should go to New Delhi to emphasise their sentiments.”
The Sardar Samman Sankalp Andolan Samiti — a local outfit in Karamsad — earlier held a protest rally on January 5, calling for a bandh. The next day, significant parts of the town downed their shutters while schools run by trusts associated with the Samiti were closed.
Dhanani said that after “climbing the success ladder” with Sardar Patel’s name, the BJP has now decided to sideline the stalwart. Dhanani said, “Those who climbed the ladder of political success with Sardar Patel’s name are filled with so much arrogance today that they are trying to erase the name of Sardar Patel and hurting the pride that is associated with him. This is an attempt to wipe off Sardar Patel’s karmabhoomi from the map. This protest is to wake up the government and to keep up its (the town’s) identity and pride.”
Sardar Samman Sankalp Andolan Committee Chairman Mithilesh Amin said that the government had “cheated, and betrayed” Sardar Patel. Amin said, “The Narendra Modi-led BJP government banks on the image of Sardar Patel and repeatedly visits Karamsad to entice voters. But it has taken away the identity of Karamsad instead of giving it a special status and identity of its own.”
Sardar Patel, who was born in Nadiad in Kheda district, grew up in Karamsad. A memorial dedicated to the Iron Man of India is located in the town.
You May Like
