The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reaching out to the Kshatriya community, appealing to extend its full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The letter issued by the party highlighted the achievements of the BJP under the leadership of Modi over the last ten years. It cited the revival of India’s culture, the realisation of national integrity, and the abolition of Article 370 as significant milestones. The Kshatriya leaders of the BJP urged the community to support Narendra Modi in his endeavour to make India a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (world leader).
The letter also addressed the recent controversy involving Parshottam Rupala. The Kshatriya community was reportedly saddened and shocked by Rupala’s statement, a sentiment shared by the Kshatriya leaders and workers of the BJP. Rupala has expressed regret for his statement and apologised more than once. He has also asked why PM Modi should be punished for his mistake.
Gujarat leaders of the Kshatriya samaj of BJP, including Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, IK Jadeja, Pradipsinh Jadeja, Mandhatasinh Jadeja, Kesharidevsinh Zala (Rajya Sabha Member), Balwantsinh Rajput (Minister), Jaydrathsinh Parmar, Mahendrasinh Sarvaiya (State BJP Vice President), Kiritsinh Rana (MLA), Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (Hakubha), (MLA) CK Raulji, (MLA), appealed to the Kshatriya Samaj to continue its glorious tradition and support the BJP in the elections by casting their valuable vote.
The leaders emphasised that India was set to become the third great power of the world in the coming time. They stressed the duty of all to protect the country and Sanatan dharma and urged everyone to participate in this process by fully cooperating with Narendra Modi.
The leaders also criticised those who did not attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla, despite their formal invitation, and those who opposed the abolition of Article 370, the CAA law, and the law of abolition of triple talaq. They questioned how the Kshatriya society could support politicians who engaged in such politics of appeasement.
The leaders also condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Bhavnagar Lok Sabha seat for their controversial statements insulting the royal traditions of the country and the princely states. They expressed sadness that the Kshatriya society had not been able to get apologies from them, while Rupala and BJP State President CR Patil had apologised to the community.
Kshatriyas in Gujarat have been protesting the BJP and have given a call to boycott the party. Rupala’s statement on the former rulers has not gone down with the community. At a function organised by the Valmiki community in his constituency on March 22, Rupala had said while the royals kept relations with the British and wed their daughters to them, the oppressed (Valmiki) community did not bow down.
Rupala issued an apology on the Kshatriya Samaj Gujarat’s YouTube channel following backlash over his comments. He acknowledged the anger of the Kshatriya community leaders and defended his remarks as a critique of foreign oppression, not the Kshatriyas or the royal family. He expressed regret for any hurt caused and requested to put the matter to rest.
A high-level meeting was also held at CR Patil’s residence on April 2. Attendees included CM Bhupendra Patel and other Kshatriya leaders. Patil apologised to the Kshatriya community in a media briefing, acknowledged their support for the BJP, and assured a quick resolution to the issue. He also recognised the community’s ongoing anger despite Rupala’s multiple apologies.
Kshatriyas have disrupted the BJP’s functions in different parts of the state. However, the saving grace for the party was that the coordination committee of the Kshatriyas had announced that they would not protest during Modi’s public meetings.
PM Narendra Modi, while addressing six public meetings in Gujarat on May 1 and 2, emphasised voting for BJP as a vote for him and praised the Rajput community.
He solicited Kshatriya support in Deesa and spoke about unity in Himmatnagar. In Anand and Wadhwan, he appealed for blessings and record-breaking votes.
In Junagadh, he commended the courage of those who defended the Somnath Temple. His last meeting in Jamnagar highlighted India’s relations with Poland due to Maharaja Digvijay Singh.
However, Rupala, a Rajkot LS candidate, was absent from the stage. When asked about his absence of Rupala during the Wadhwan rally, BJP spokesperson Raju Druv was on record in the section of the media that he could not attend as there were restrictions due to his health.
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