Ahead of the Gujarat Government’s flagship biennial event–Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS)-leaders of OBC, Patidar and Dalit community have united to demonstrate their strength by organising ‘Unemployment March’ on Friday.
The march is from Becharaji in North Gujarat where Suzuki Motor limited, has started car manufacturing, to Ahmedabad by OBC Ekta Manch headed by 38-year-old Alpesh Thakor under the banner of Thakor-Kshtriya Sena. Becharji the starting point of march is part of the State Government’s much talked about Mandal–Becharaji Special Investment Region.
The pro-quota organisation of Patel community steered by Hardik Patel Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, who came into light following flogging of Dalit youth in Saurashtra region, have declared support to the march.
OBC Ekta Manch has asked the State Government to ensure 85 per cent jobs to local youths in private sector. According to the organisation, the companies investing in the State through events like VGGS should provide employment to local candidates instead of bringing outsiders as employees. The organisers of the march claimed that apart from Patidars and Dalits, other communities including Brahmin, Rabari and Muslims too have supported them.
According to Thakor, despite claims of the State Government for attracting mammoth investments in the State, more than 60 lakh youth are unemployed in Gujarat. He further said that Gujaratis must be given priority in jobs and the State Government need to ensure the companies give employment to local youth.