Ahmedabad caught in Donald Trump fever, CM caught in quota mess

GANDHINAGAR: Even as the Gujarat government is racing against time to complete preparations for the forthcoming high profile visit of US President Donald Trump, it has been caught in a bind over the contentious issue of reservation.
Members of both reserved and unreserved communities are protesting over a government resolution that bars reserved category women from applying for the general category seats in government recruitment examinations.
While women of reserved categories have been protesting against the resolution for over two months, demanding that it be scrapped, members of unreserved communities began protesting from Wednesday after the government announced that it will modify the circular to ensure nobody faces injustice in recruitment.
Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel held separate meetings with representatives of both sides and both continued to hold on to their tough stance. Nitin Patel however, was optimistic that a solution acceptable to both sides could be arrived at. “The CM had directed me and Pradipsinh Jadeja to meet the groups and listen to their demands. We have met different groups of non-reserve caste today and heard their representation over the GR dated August 1, 2018. We will brief the CM on Friday. Government will find a solution which is acceptable to both sides,” Patel said.
The bone of contention is a government resolution passed by Vijay Rupani-led government on August 1, 2018, that barred reserved category women from applying in the general category seats. Trouble started about two months ago, when the government announced results of the Lok Rakshak Dal (LRD) exams and applied the GR in the recruitment process.
Dinesh Bambhania, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader, who led the delegation of the non-reserved caste delegation, said, “We have categorically told the government that if any change is made in the August 1, 2018 GR, we will further intensify our protest. We are not against any community, but we expect the government to follow directions of the Supreme Court.”
Hasmukh Saxsena, Bandharaniya Adhikar Andolan Samiti (BAAS) which is supporting the protest of SC/ST/OBC women LRD aspirants, said “We feel that attempts are being made to create a rift in society by provoking women from non-reserved category to protest. The GR is not only damaging for the prospects of SC/ST/OBC women but also those from economically weaker sections. The protest will continue until the GR is not withdrawn.”