The Gujarat Government on Monday ordered an enquiry into the alleged suicide by a 30-year-old Patel youth closely associated with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) in Rajkot.
Umesh Bhalana’s death has created ripples in political arena as the deceased urged his community members to carry forward the ongoing pro-quota stir despite the `1,000 crore financial package announced by the State Government for meritorious students of all communities including that of Patidars.
His suicide note also blamed the State Government. A large number of Patel leaders from all over the State came to Rajkot to attend his funeral on Sunday.
As Umesh was the only bread winner for his family, lots of sympathy wave created among Patidar community. In the wake of his suicide, the Umiya Mata Temple Samiti, one of the five important religious organisations of the Patels, declared support to the on-going agitation by the “Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti” (PAAS) for reservation for the Patels.
PAAS leaders termed the package announced by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel for the economically weaker sections of the society across all communities as a ‘lollipop’ and said that the package was nothing but old wine in new bottle.
Meanwhile, medical practitioners from Patidar community have formed a charitable trust ‘Samasta Patidar Seva Charitable Trust’.
In its first meeting at Bhavnagar the board of the said trust has decided to give `1 crore each to those who died post ‘Maha Kranti Rally’ unrest in the State. The trust will pay `9 crore to families of all nine Patidar youth who were killed during the agitation.
Twenty-two-year-old PAAS convener Hardik Patel too reaffirmed his intention of continuing agitation in favour of reservation benefits for Patidars under OBC category by saying that ‘sacrifice’ of Umesh and others would not go in vein.