Less than a day remains for the mega convention of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ahmedabad. But the event is facing stiff opposition from leaders belonging to various walks of life.
The VHP is expecting around 50,000 people in the convention, which will be addressed by Dr Pravin Togadia, international president of the VHP.
On March 26, the day of VHP convention, Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal will address a rally in state capital Gandhinagar.
Convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, Chirag Patel, on Friday, questioned as to whether the VHP and Dr Togadiya were trying to pacify antagonized Patel farmers, Dalits, OBCs and tribals of Gujarat at a time when the elections are due.
Patel alleged that it was because of the dirty politics of the BJP that 72 persons belonging to the Patildar community were behind the bars in connection with various charges slapped on them during post-Godhra riots of 2002.
He sought to know as to why he (Dr. Togadia) did not utter a word when atrocities were committed on Patels during the agitation demanding reservation and 14 people lost their lives. Among the nine pointed questions, Patel also sought to know if the Dalits attacked in Thangad and Una were Hindus or not.
Sagar Desai, representing Gujarat Khedut Samaj, an organisation of farmers in Gujarat, alleged that attempts were being made to repeat Uttar Pradesh pattern in Gujarat and divide people on the lines of Hindutva.
Questioned as to how many people supported their opposition to the VHP meet, Desai said that people had started listening to their point of view as well.
Patel said that they would oppose the VHP convention in a democratic manner and that they did not want a situation wherein the police arrested them for protesting. “They do not give us permission for holding meetings,” Patel alleged.
Desai said that they were trying to unite like-minded people to oppose the BJP.
The group, which wants “Hindutva free from oppression and atrocities”, has also got the support of Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani.