While the community has incessantly opposed union minister Parshottam Rupala for his statements, Kshatriya leaders are now also reacting to the Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi’s analogy of kings and maharajas as the ‘land grabbers’.
Kshatriya leader PT Jadeja came forward opposing Gandhi’s statements saying, “Rahul Gandhi’s statement is condemnable. Kings and royals have given a lot; they have not taken anything away from anyone. But our issue right now is only to oppose (Parshottam) Rupala. Rupala has made a statement about (our) sisters and daughters. Our fight is for women’s pride, which will continue.”
Triptiba Raol, president of the Gujarat Rajput Samaj institutions coordinating committee, had reacted to Gandhi’s statement at a Kshatriya convention in Bardoli, stating, “I condemn Rahul Gandhi’s statement. Such statements should not be tolerated; he should apologise. I am hurt by his statement. But we will not let Rupala be with the statement he has made.”
The Congress leader’s comments were also responded to by Bhavanagar’s Yuvaraj Jayveerraj Singh Gohil saying, “It was his grandmother who brought the land ceiling law, resulting in the loss of ownership of land for many citizens.” He added, “A lot of our people lost their land because of such biassed legislation; who is responsible for that?”
He further added, “I feel pity for Rahul Gandhi. Sadly, the person whose father and grandmother were the nation’s prime minister has ruined the party.”
Congress reacts to this issue
Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said, “BJP insulted sisters and daughters first. Then, out of arrogance, they did not repeal the candidature form. Now what has not even happened is being misrepresented.”
He added that, “Kshatriya society is innocent but not foolish. The BJP has come out to do politics on Rahul Gandhi’s statement. The BJP’s candidate is insulting sisters and daughters all over the country, so there is resentment among the people of every caste.”
During a rally in Karnataka on Apr 27, Rahul said, “It was the rule of kings and Maharajas; they could do whatever they wanted; if they wanted someone’s land, they would take it away. It was the Congress party, and our workers, along with the people of the country, achieved independence and brought democracy.”