Gujarat: BJP accuses Congress of maligning image of 'Hindu saints'

The Gujarat Assembly on Monday witnessed an uproar after Congress MLAs mentioned the name of noted religious preacher Morari Bapu during a debate on black marketing of food grains.

The ruling BJP accused the Congress of maligning the image of "Hindu saints", with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani insisting that Bapu's mention be withdrawn.

Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani, however, refused to back down claiming he had evidence to prove unscrupulous persons were buying food grains from ration shops by faking identities of known persons like Morari Bapu and BJP MP from Surat, Darshana Jardosh.

The debate started during question hour after Congress MLA Anand Chaudhari sought to know if the BJP government would take action against those buying food grains from ration shops by producing fake ration cards in the names of eminent persons like Morari Bapu.

Adding to Chaudhari's allegation, Dhanani said a "food mafia" was indulging in black marketing of such illegally acquired food grains.

The LoP also claimed that even MP Darshana Jardosh had once complained about this illegal activity.

"I have evidence to prove food grain meant for the poor was bought by food mafia in the name of Morari Bapu. Even BJP MP Darshana Jardosh had complained that her name was illegally used. She even wrote a letter to the government" said Dhanani.

Agitated with the Congress' charge, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel alleged it was deliberately dragging Morari Bapu's name in order to malign the image of Hindu saints.

He urged Speaker Rajendra Trivedi to ask Dhanani to apologise for his comments on Bapu.

"This is a clear attempt by the Congress to malign the image of Hindu saints. This should not be allowed in any circumstance. I challenge Dhanani to produce proof to validate his claims about Morari Bapu. If he fails, then he must apologise," Patel said.

When Dhanani accused the BJP of trying to muzzle the voice of the opposition instead of taking action against the "food mafia", CM Rupani said his government was ready to take action against such people.

"We are ready to take action against all kinds of mafia. But mentioning Morari Bapu's name is not acceptable. Morari Bapu is a respectable saint. Either you furnish proof to back your claim or take back your words," Rupani said in the House.

Even after Question Hour, heated exchanges between the two parties continued in the House as Nitin Patel raised an issue related to Narmada canals and sought an apology from Dhanani for citing incorrect information about its irrigation potential.

On July 12, Dhanani had alleged that, as against the state government's claim of over 16 lakh hectares of agricultural land getting water through the Narmada canal network, only 6 lakh hectares had been covered till now.

Dhanani had gone on to say that the figure of 6 lakh hectares was mentioned in the Socio-Economic Review report of 2018-19, which was released on July 2 when the state Budget was announced.

"Dhanani had claimed there is gap of 10 lakh hectares in the figures. Now, after going through the (socio economic) review, I have come across a paragraph which says irrigation potential has been created in 16.38 lakh hectares as against the total envisaged irrigation potential of 17.92 lakh hectares" said Patel.

"I want to ask Dhanani from where he has got the figure of 6 lakh hectares? The Socio-Economic Review does not have that figure. This is an attempt to create a false picture of Gujarat and an attempt to malign BJP government. I want him to apologize for misleading the House. I also urge the Speaker to reprimand him," Patel said.

Rupani too challenged Dhanani to find the mention of 6 lakh hectare from the Budget publication, and tender an apology to the House if he couldn't.

On Dhanani's request, Speaker Trivedi gave him time to produce proof to back his claim.