In a bid to pacify agitating Patidars ahead of the 2017 assembly elections, Anandiben Patel government in Gujarat announced a separate 10% quota for economically backward classes (EBC) in higher education and government jobs. The new category would cover all upper castes, including Patidars, whose family income does not exceed Rs 600,000 per annum. Later the state government issued an ordinance to implement the 10% quota for economically backward classes. Implementation of the EBC quota required an ordinance published in the official gazette, as currently the state assembly is not in session.
The announcement follows similar moves by BJP governments in Rajasthan and Haryana, where the ruling party passed quota bills to placate Gujjars and Jats, respectively. However, like other states which exceeded the Supreme Court-prescribed 50% cap on quota, the Gujarat government's decision is bound to be challenged in court once it is notified.
The decision to give quota to upper castes by creating an EBC category in Gujarat was taken at BJP's core committee meeting at the state headquarters. BJP president Amit Shah chaired the meeting, which was attended by Anandiben Patel and other state officials.
However, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) rejected the announcement with Ketan Patel, a close aide of Samiti convenor Hardik Patel calling it “yet another lollipop from the BJP factory“.
Hardik talks of compromise
Jailed Patidar leader Hardik Patel softened his stance over OBC status for Patels and said compromise was important for both sides (Patidars and government). “We will study the state government's decision of 10% EBC quota for non-reserved classes and think of compromise (with the government) if it is in favour of the community,” Hardik said on Saturday.“Solution to the issue is required for peace... and it is important for both sides to compromise,” he added.
Hardik's reaction contradicts the widespread reaction of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leaders who termed the quota as “lollipop“. In fact, PAAS declared a week-long protest `Swarnim Lollipop Mahotsav` from Sunday against EBC quota.
The Anandiben government was under duress ever since Patidars, one of BJP's biggest vote banks, turned against the party, launching an agitation demanding OBC status. The nine-month long agitation had left the party rattled as it sustained electoral setbacks in local body elections.
With an eye on 2017 elections, the 10% EBC quota is an all out attempt by BJP to woo its voters back into the fold without upsetting other communities. State BJP president Vijay Rupani clarified that the new quota will not affect the existing reservation given to OBCs, backward classes, Dalits and tribals.
Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela said the EBC quota should be raised to 20% and the income limit be increased to Rs 1200,000 per annum. Senior advocate Girish Patel said while the government can issue an ordinance on EBC quota and notify it as well, the quota is impermissible in the Constitution under its Article 16(1) which prohibits reservation on the basis of economic backwardness and Article 16(4), which provides for reservation on caste basis.
