Former Gujarat Minister and BJP leader Dilip Sanghani unnecessarily created controversy by addressing a letter to Forest Minister that the State Government should not only allow farmers staying in the proximity of Gir Forest to keep weapons, but also permit them to kill lions for self-defence.
Sanghani was Agriculture Minister in Narendra Modi Government in Gujarat. He however lost in 2012 Assembly polls against Congress candidate Paresh Dhanani. Many in the political circle termed Sanghani’s letter as an attempt to regain some popularity among farmers from his own leuva Patel community.
According to him incidents pertaining to attacks of wild animals including Asiatic lions on farmers out of the jungle areas are increasing. “Wild animals are often killing their cattle. Once wild cats like lions and leopard become man-eater they become more dangerous for human life not only in forest areas but also in the revenue areas. In such situation, farmers should be at liberty to kill wild animals for self-defence,” he said in the letter addressed to state forest minister Mangubhai Patel.
Sanghani, who was also Member of Parliament from Amreli Parliamentary constituency, said that such attacks of wild animals near Gir area should be taken seriously as human life is more important. A senior leader in BJP said that Sanghani is senior politician and he must know that there are many other ways for self-protection from wild animals including lions. It was nothing but to get cheap popularity among farmers as he knows it very well that state as well as Central Government would never give such permission as Gir is the last abode of Asiatic lions.
As Assembly polls are coming closer, some politicians are trying to please voters. Few months back MlA Nalin Kotadia who was elected from Keshubhai Patel’s political outfit Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) also made similar remarks. Kotadia came into BJP fold following his party’s merger in BJP ahead of lok Sabha elections.
He too took anti-BJP stand in on-going pro-quota stir of Patidars. Both these leaders are from Patidar community and they want to sustain their popularity in their community members. Most of the farmers in Amreli district are from Patel community.