Don’t turn anger against Modi: Rupala requests protesting Kshatriyas

Facing the heat of the Kshatriyas, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala Friday requested the community to not turn the issue into a weapon against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also reminded the community members of the numerous contributions they have made to the society and the growth of the BJP.

“I am ready to admit I committed a mistake. I had admitted as much in the past also. But I find it inappropriate to pit the Kshatriya community against Modi saheb because of me. Narendra Modi is today the leader of the world and our country. I request the Kshatriya community to rethink their anger directed at Modi saheb,” Rupala said, as he addressed a public meeting organised by the BJP.

The plea came two days after Kshatriyas resumed their protests and gave a call to defeat the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. “I went to meet the community leaders and got a reaction (in reference to his meeting on March 29 with Kshatriya leader Jayrajsinh Jadeja who had claimed the community had decided to forgive him). But why turn it against Modi saheb?” asked the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Acknowledging the presence of Satyajit Khachar and Kesaridevsinh Zala from the royal families of erstwhile princely states of Jasdan and Wankaner who were seated on the dais at the meeting, Rupala urged the Kshatriyas to recall its contribution in nation-building and powering the BJP where it is today. “How big a contribution you have made in the making of this nation! How tremendous is your contribution in the development of the party (BJP) also.”

He added that many Kshatriya leaders have been accompanying the march of development that Modi has embarked on.

Rupala also underlined that the current issue touches the social fabric of the society and urged the Kshatriyas not to politicise it. “I also ardently urge you all leaders here to try and build a new bridge of understanding with community leaders. I am not appealing this due to the election. It is not about victory and defeat either. This is a subject touching the fabric of our social life. I request the Kshatriya community to keep it away from politics,” Rupala said.

Rupala, who hails from the numerically-strong Patidar community, is the Rajkot BJP candidate. The Kshatriyas have been protesting against the minister after his alleged comments against the erstwhile rulers from the community during the British rule.

The community members have been demanding that either 69-year-old Rupala voluntarily withdraw from the Lok Sabha polls or BJP cancel his election ticket. But as BJP stood its ground, the Kshatriyas resumed their protests on April 24. They have also announced Kshatriya conventions in Mehsana, Anand, Surat and Jamnagar.

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