Ghost of Patidar Reservation Stir Returns to Haunt Gujarat Government

Gandhinagar, Gujarat — Nearly a decade after the Patidar reservation agitation shook Gujarat’s political landscape, the ghost of the movement has returned to haunt the state government. In a significant development following AAP leader Gopal Italia’s victory in the Visavadar bypoll, prominent faces of the once-powerful Patidar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS) have regrouped for a major meeting in Gandhinagar.

The meeting, called under the banner of Patidar Chintan Shibir, has brought together core leaders of the original agitation — Alpesh Kathiria, Manoj Panara, Dinesh Bambhania, Reshma Patel, Geeta Patel, Chirag Patel, Dharmika Malviya, Lalit Vasoya, and Lalit Kagathara. Their gathering has triggered political ripples, suggesting a possible revival of Patidar-centric activism in Gujarat.

“We are not here for politics, but for the unresolved issues of our community,” said Alpesh Kathiria. “Our struggle has not ended; it has merely taken a new form. The government cannot continue to ignore us.”

Ironically, leaders who rose to prominence through the agitation and later aligned with mainstream politics — Hardik Patel (now with BJP) and Gopal Italia (AAP MLA) — were conspicuously absent from the meeting.

The timing of this gathering, days after Italia’s electoral win, is seen as significant. While organizers claim the meeting is apolitical and purely social, political observers believe it may mark the beginning of a new phase of organized activism by the Patidar community.

Key Issues Discussed

During the meeting, the leaders decided to focus on key concerns plaguing the Patidar community:

Lack of parental consent in marriage registrations

Rising exploitation by loan sharks

Patidar youth falling prey to criminal gangs

Inactivity of the Patidar Commission and Corporation

Addiction and financial ruin due to online gaming

“Many of the issues we fought for remain unaddressed,” said Dinesh Bambhania. “We are watching how Patidar youth are still facing socio-economic challenges. This meeting is about introspection and planning a better way forward.”

The Chintan Shibir aims to formulate a concrete action plan and press for accountability from the government regarding long-pending promises. Some leaders have warned that if constructive steps are not taken soon, larger public mobilization may follow.

“This is not a warning, but a reminder to the government,” said Lalit Vasoya, former MLA and ex-PAAS leader. “The Patidar community has not forgotten its history — and neither should the ruling powers.”