Congress wary of caste violence in Gujarat

The Congress high command is adopting a wait-and-watch approach on the recent incidents of caste violence in Gujarat, where elections have to be held before January 22, 2018.

The party believes there is a “pattern” in the latest outburst, and fears that the ruling BJP in the State is trying to break the new-found bonhomie between the Congress and various outfits of Dalit and Patel caste groups. The Congress’s strategy is to focus on the economy and policy issues that affect people than to find votes by forging alliances with caste groups.

Hardik Patel’s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) has been vocal in criticising the BJP, though a sizeable section of his community has been supporting the party. The agitations by Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakur have also been trying to find a common ground with Patel and the opposition to the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Mr Dalit online protests, started by a group of Dalits, were targeted at the upper caste, including the Patels. A fresh bout of reported violence against Dalits in the State was the reason behind the Mr Dalit protests.

“We have decided not to indulge in such (caste) issues. The BJP is trying to muddle the water ahead of elections. We are not going to fall into their trap. We will include all these groups to launch a campaign against the Centre and State government and their policies,” a senior AICC functionary said.

AICC spokesperson and Public Accounts Committee chairman of the Gujarat Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil was more forthright. “People understand that the BJP will come up with a communal riot or caste-based violence at the time of election. Their motive is to polarise voters in the name of caste and religion. We will not allow this,” he said.

Gohil added that the manifesto of the Congress will focus on unemployment, farmers’ distress and problems of traders and industries.

“The manifesto will have suggestions to address such problems. Our attempt is to attract the youth, farmers, workers and other marginalised people. They are suffering under the BJP governments in the State and the Centre. We will rally them on the issues that are reflected on the ground,” he told BusinessLine.

The Congress is also trying to reach out to these organisations to create a broad front against the BJP. The party has actively supported the struggles of small and medium traders of the State against GST.

Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, during his recent visit to the State, had met representatives of farmers, textile workers and small and medium industries. He assured them that the party will support their struggles.

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