Search the Internet          Tips

Modi defers his 'Gujarat Gaurav Yatra' again

Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who was to have inaugurated the yatra, wrote to state Congress president and former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, saying it had been put off "keeping in mind the interest of Gujarat and the interest of unity among the people of the state".

Modi said another reason for the postponement was to show respect to Bhatiji Maharaj, a 19th century campaigner against cow-slaughter who is revered in Phagvel, where a group styling itself the 'Bhati Sena' had threatened to disrupt the BJP road show.

Phagvel, a minor pilgrim centre, lies in the Kapadvanj Lok Sabha constituency from where Vaghela, who is of the same kshatriya caste as Bhatiji Maharaj, was elected in 1999.

This is the second time the BJP has deferred its yatra. Its launch was first scheduled for July 4, but was postponed on a directive from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee after the National Human Rights Commission and several eminent citizens voiced concern that it could re-ignite communal passions that had only just begun cooling.

Confrontation over the yatra had been building up since Vaghela announced that members of his community would honour him on the same day at the Bhatiji temple. The BJP planned to start its programme from that very temple.

Though the local administration had issued prohibitory orders, Vaghela said he was determined to go to Phagvel and if anyone tried to stop him and his supporters, they would not flinch from a fight. He had even sought the intervention of Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi to ensure their protection.

Vaghela had also threatened to sit on a day's fast on Monday to protest against the "misuse of official machinery by the BJP for the yatra".

State BJP president Rajendrasinh Rana said the yatra was postponed on an appeal by the head of the Swaminarayan sect and a Jain muni (saint).

Rana told the Press Trust of India in Ahmedabad that Pramukhswami Maharaj, head of the Swaminarayan sect, and Acharya Mahapragyaji had appealed for the postponement in view of a religious function taking place in the village on the same day.

The acharya is observing 'chaturmas' in the nearby Gandhinagar district after concluding his Ahimsa Yatra in Ahmedabad in June.

"They said they desired that people with some sense of understanding of the prevailing situation in Gujarat should avoid an atmosphere of confrontation at Phagvel. We heeded their appeal and took the decision to postpone the yatra," Rana said.

The Swaminarayan sect has a large following among the powerful Patel community in Gujarat.

Rana, however, said the yatra would begin from Phagvel on September 7. "There is no plan to change the starting point of the yatra," he said.

Hours earlier, Rana had insisted in Baroda that there was no question of putting off the yatra.

The BJP proposes to traverse the entire length and breadth of the state, covering all 25 districts and 182 assembly constituencies until October.

PTI

Gujarat Elections 2002: The complete coverage

The Gujarat Riots: The complete coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report