With a demand to give national status to Sardar Patel’s birthplace – Karamsad, a group of people initiated indefinite fast on Monday.
Karamsad is situated in Kheda district of Central part of Gujarat and locals in the village want the Modi Government to give national prominence. According to them they were not against any Government, but by giving national status ideology of Sardar would reach to more number of people.
The body formed by locals in Karamsad — Sardar Hitrakshak Samiti — had met Prime Minister two years ago with their demand. Bipin Patel, one of the members of the committee said that Governments across the party line are making promises but didn’t give special status to Sardar’s birthplace. Patel said that they had made representation to Gujarat Chief Minister also.
“The committee is not fighting with anybody. Our sole motive is Sardar’s birthplace should get national importance,” said Ramesh Patel who has also set on fast. The first proposal to get National status for Karamsad was made in the year 1995, along with Porbandar, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. While Porbandar was accorded the status but Karamsad never considered. The villagers had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2002 when he was Gujarat CM.
Jumping in the on-going controversy leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Paresh Dhanani blamed ruling BJP saying that the saffron party only used Sardar’s name to get votes and it is not interested in preserving Sardar’s heritage.
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel also supported the fast agitation by some residents of Karamsad saying that he and his organization also want special status to Sardar’s birthplace.
Reacting on the issue Gujarat’s deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that already both state as well as central governments said have done for the monuments related to Sardar Patel not only in Karamsad but at other places too. State urban development department did wonderful work at Karamsad and renovated buildings related to Sardar Patel, he added.