Latest news with #Jats
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dhankhar's resignation creates unrest among Raj's Jat community
1 2 Jaipur: The sudden and unceremonious resignation of former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, one of the country's most prominent Jat politicians, has triggered unease and resentment within sections of Rajasthan's Jat community. Dhankhar, originally from Kithana village in Jhunjhunu district, stepped down Monday citing health reasons. However, many within the community are interpreting the move as a political setback—one that reflects an attempt to sideline Jats and farmers from national politics. Jats, who form a significant section of Rajasthan's population, are a dominant socio-political force, particularly in western Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Dhankhar's elevation to Vice-President in 2022 was seen as a masterstroke by BJP , aimed at consolidating the Jat votes ahead of crucial elections. "Dhankhar never disappointed BJP. He consistently projected himself as Jat and farmer leader. His repeated visits to Rajasthan and Haryana during assembly and Lok Sabha elections were always interpreted as part of BJP's strategy to woo farmers and Jats, both," said a senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity. He added, "This resignation has now created a vacuum. The party must come up with a credible explanation soon to pacify the community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo " Rajasthan BJP is already facing internal challenges regarding Jat representation in the organisation. The marginalisation of former state president Satish Poonia—once considered a possible CM face—added to the discomfort. Poonia's defeat in the 2023 assembly polls from Jaipur's Amber constituency, denial of Lok Sabha ticket to him from Ajmer and his exclusion from Rajya Sabha polls in 2024 have not gone down well with the Jat electorate. "BJP failed to fill the leadership void among Jats in Rajasthan. That's why Congress and its allies managed to win four key Jat-dominated Lok Sabha seats—Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, and Churu—in 2024. It was the biggest blow to BJP from the Jat belt in recent years," said a party insider. "Despite 18 months in govt, BJP couldn't create a strong Jat face to regain lost ground." Sensing the mood, Rajasthan Congress was quick to seize the moment. Party state president Govind Singh Dotasra called Dhankhar's resignation a "classic case of BJP's use-and-throw policy." "This is an anti-farmer and anti-Jat move. They sidelined him once his utility was over," Dotasra said Tuesday. Several Jat and OBC organisations also expressed displeasure at the development. Some reached out to contacts in Delhi to seek clarity on the situation. "We are in talks with leaders in the Centre and will issue an official statement soon," said a senior member of the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Taken At The Flood: Jagdeep Dhankhar's journey through India's political currents
Life moves like a restless river, always flowing and changing course. At times, it lifts us up to new heights; at other times, it draws us back. But, as Shakespeare wrote, there are moments in life—high tides—that, if seized, can carry us to great fortune. The story of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned on Monday, is much like this river, full of ebb and At The FloodIn 1989, India's political landscape was turbulent, with the Congress facing unprecedented challenges from a united opposition. It was a Dickensian ode to the best of times for the non-Congress opposition and the worst for the Congress and then Prime Minister Rajiv young PM, who had caught the nation's fancy with his persona and vision, had suddenly lost his sheen. A penumbra of corruption, opportunism, and communalism had surrounded his early aura. Bofors, a Swedish gun, had become a household name, and the streets echoed with a nasty slogan: 'Gali, gali main shor hai, Rajiv Gandhi chor hai.' Another narrative was unfolding with the unravelling of Rajiv Gandhi—the rise of Hindutva, amplified by BJP's campaign for a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. As BJP leader LK Advani led a 'Rath Yatra' through the heart of India, leaving behind a legacy of Hindutva revivalism and a trail of blood, a strange alliance shaped Indian politics. It presented Jagdeep Dhankhar an opportunity to ride the high tide of Unlikely AllianceThe left is left, and the right is right, and the twain shall never meet. This axiom of politics turned on its head when the BJP, the Janata Dal—led by VP Singh—and the Left joined hands against Rajiv Gandhi in the 1989 elections. The alliance shredded the social tapestry the Congress had woven through clever caste and communal equations. In many places, it brought rival social groups together, creating a solid vote bank against the Congress. The impact of this coalition was felt most in states like Rajasthan, where feudal-era loyalties had created deep schisms between politically vocal castes like Jats and Rajputs. For the first time in Indian history, these arch-rivals united to uproot the 1989The desert town of Jhunjhunu, possibly named after a chieftain called Jhunjha, is the beating heart of Shekhawati, a region in Rajasthan known as the birthplace of some of India's biggest business tycoons. Born in a small village in Jhunjhunu, Dhankhar moved to Jaipur to practice law, where he became president of the High Court Bar Association. But his political destiny awaited him in politics is dominated by three groups—the numerically superior Jats, the politically united Muslims, and the socially powerful Rajputs, who once ruled as chieftains. The politics of Jhunjhunu was historically dominated by the Congress, which created a solid vote bloc of Jats, Muslims, and Dalits. In 1989, two leaders blasted away this bonhomie, giving Dhankhar a rare opportunity in Tau and The ThakuradvertisementAmong the Jats of Rajasthan, especially in the Shekhawati region, Chaudhary Devi Lal emerged as an unexpected star, even though his karma bhoomi was the adjoining state of Haryana. Revered as Tau by followers, Devi Lal shook Rajasthan's political landscape when he announced his candidature from Sikar, against Congress heavyweight and fellow Jat, Balram Lal's decision to contest from Sikar, which abuts Jhunjhunu, drew Jats to the opposition in the entire Shekhawati region. They combined with the Rajputs, led by BJP stalwart Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and the lure of VP Singh, a Thakur, to form a formidable group that guaranteed opposition victory.A Pivotal Rally: The Turning PointIt was Tau Devi Lal's 75th birthday, an occasion turned into opposition's heft at Delhi's Boat Club. Dhankhar, a young lawyer with political ambition, organised a large gathering from Jhunjhunu to attend the birthday rally.A few days later, while his Sangram Colony house in Jaipur was dipped in the dark because of a power cut, light shone through. Devi Lal and Ajit Singh visited him, offering him the chance to contest from Jhunjhunu. Riding on the anger against PM Gandhi, thrust forward by the combined might of the Jat-Rajput coalition, Dhankhar swept the and FlowThe river of destiny shifted its course in November 1990. VP Singh, carried to power by high hopes and the surge of public will, formed the government. Dhankhar was inducted as a junior minister, ironically, on the recommendation of Bansi Lal, a Congress leader. In November 1989, VP Singh's government fell toppled by collapsing alliances. Chandra Shekhar, whose journey had long flowed against the mainstream, now found himself steering the that moment's confluence, another opportunity emerged when he was called to serve as Minister of State in the government. But, he refused to take oath, objecting to the inclusion of Rajasthan leaders Daulat Ram and Kalyan Singh as senior March 1991, Chandra Shekhar's government, always precarious, lost the support that had kept it standing. Faced with mounting political pressure and growing isolation, he resigned, bringing his brief time in office to an end. With the cabinet dissolved, Dhankhar's role in national politics faded as quickly as it had appeared. The attention shifted, new names emerged, and for Dhankhar, it was a return to relative obscurity, his moment on the central stage quietly passing into Out the LullThe gates of Parliament had closed, but ambition still stirred. Politics, though, seldom forgives or forgets. The Congress, regaining dominance through the 1990s, saw Dhankhar make a pragmatic shift—he joined its ranks, winning a state assembly seat in 1993. For a while, after his assembly win, Dhankhar's career he made a political blunder. In the caste-driven politics of Rajasthan, Dhankhar positioned himself as a Jat leader. Unfortunately for him, the reins of the Congress passed to Ashok Gehlot, who swiftly purged the party of Jat leaders. Denied the chance to contest for the Assembly by Gehlot, Dhankhar joined the NCP, and then the BJP ahead of the 2003 Assembly polls. Vasundhara Raje, his old friend and the new BJP satrap, refused to give Dhankhar a Rajya Sabha ticket, ending his dream of a return to national 15-year ExileHis political journey, once brimming with promise, was derailed by a mix of his own impatience, sudden changes in allegiance, and missteps, as well as the rise of regional leaders who viewed the shrewd lawyer with suspicion. Consequently, after brief spells in nearly every major political party within a decade, he found himself pushed to the sidelines, left to while away his has its own rhythm. At the beginning of the millennium, Dhankhar waited patiently for the tide to turn. Visitors to his farm on the outskirts of Jaipur were treated with the luxury of time and the coffee he blended himself, stirring it for hours with a political wilderness stretched for nearly 15 years. Dhankhar, however, remained more than a distant memory. He remained active in the legal world, earning renown as a sharp, argumentative advocate in the Supreme Court. In these years, he forged quiet but potent links with the RSS, lending his insights and tenacity to the background operations of the Sangh and BJP, even as he was denied a formal Angles of ReturnIn 2019, fortune turned. The BJP, seeking a seasoned and regionally credible leader, tapped Dhankhar as Governor of West Bengal—a surprise move that returned him to the center of political action. His legal acumen and deep understanding of political strategy became assets as he dealt with the fierce, often confrontational politics of Bengal, often sparring with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His confrontational style was rewarded by the BJP with his election as Vice President in 2022. But another chapter was Health and Political ConcernsThis March, Dhankhar underwent a procedure for removal of blockages in the heart. But the problem of low blood pressure and fainting spells persisted. This, according to official sources, is the reason for his sudden the real reason is complex. Sources close to Dhankhar cite his continuous neglect by the BJP top brass, indicating a rapid souring of relationship. In his home state, Rajasthan, the Vice President felt slighted by the chief minister, Bhajan Lal, who would often ignore his trips, or requests. Sources close to him say he was being insulted on purpose–a clear message that his stock had fallen within the 20 was the birthday of his wife, Dr Sudesh Dhankhar. A feast was organised for the staff, with jalebis flown in from Jaipur. There was no sign of his impending resignation, though Dhankhar was aware that he had overstayed his welcome. Whispers in political circles suggest tensions with BJP leadership over his outspoken remarks on farmers and the judiciary, though no official confirmation a day later, on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Dhankhar quit. 'He was simmering because the top brass had turned cold and aloof. Things had turned so bad that the party leadership would ignore even his salutations and greetings,' a family source of the SurvivorsDhankhar's journey is less a tale of permanent ascent and more one of resilience—the ability to wait, adapt, and seize opportunity when it arises. His recent resignation is simply the latest bend in a long, unpredictable course. Jagdeep Dhankhar has navigated the floods with remarkable tenacity. Will he catch another high tide, or is this the end of his political journey? Time will reveal its future ebb and flow.- Ends
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP slams Uddhav Thackeray over remarks on Patel community in Gujarat
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat on Saturday (July 5, 2025) hit back at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray for his claims that the saffron party 'instigated' the Patel community and isolated it from others to secure electoral victories in the state. Gujarat BJP spokesperson Dr. Rutvij Patel dismissed Mr. Thackeray's comments, stating that the Sena leader was unaware of Gujarat's political dynamics. 'Uddhav Thackeray does not know anything about Gujarat. Here, the BJP and the Patidar community (Patels) are two sides of the same coin. The BJP has given Gujarat three Patidar chief ministers and several state unit presidents,' Mr. Patel said. He further pointed out that current Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and multiple ministers in the state government belong to the Patidar community. 'Mr. Thackeray should have done his homework before making such baseless remarks,' he added. Another BJP spokesperson, Hitendra Patel, accused Mr. Thackeray of adopting the 'language of Congress' and attempting to create divisions. 'The Patidar community played a crucial role in the BJP's rise in Gujarat, and the party has equally contributed to the community's progress. Four state BJP presidents and three chief ministers—Keshubhai Patel, Anandiben Patel, and Bhupendra Patel—were from the Patidar community,' he said. 'It does not befit Mr. Thackeray to speak like Congress, which thrives on dividing people along caste and religious lines,' Mr. Hitendra Patel added. Mr. Thackeray's remarks came during a rally in Mumbai celebrating the Maharashtra government's decision to withdraw two orders introducing Hindi in state schools from Class 1. He alleged that the BJP 'instigated' the Patels in Gujarat ahead of the 2017 assembly polls to polarize voters. 'What did they do in Gujarat? The atmosphere was such that Patels would defeat the BJP. But they provoked the Patel community, isolated them, and mobilized everyone else to win,' Mr. Thackeray claimed. He further accused the BJP of employing similar tactics in Haryana and Maharashtra, alleging that the party incited Jats and Marathas, respectively, to consolidate other communities in its favor.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra: Uddhav, Raj vow to join hands amid Hindi row
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in a joint victory rally at Worli in Mumbai on Saturday vowed to join hands for the Marathi language and Marathi Manoos in the backdrop of the state government 's move to introduce Hindi in primary schools. The two leaders were sharing the dais after 20 years MNS chief Raj Thackeray (left) and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray during a joint victory rally at Worli, in Mumbai, on Saturday. (PTI) Thackeray brothers attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti government over what they called the 'conspiracy to divide' the people in the name of language, caste and religion. Raj Thackeray also sarcastically thanked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for bringing them together, which they said even Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray could not do. The joint victory rally to celebrate the state government decision to scrap the decision of imposition of Hindi was held at Worli with 8000-plus capacity dome as well the NSCI complex housing it was jam packed well ahead of the main event. Leaders from opposition parties, including NCP-SP, Congress, CPI(M), Peasants And Workers Party were present, though the stage was occupied by the two brothers. Uddhav Thackeray, who spoke after Raj Thackeray, hinted at their coming together in the forthcoming local body elections, though Raj said that what will happen in the future cannot be predicted at this juncture. 'We have come together on the issue of Marathi and let me assure the Marathi people gathered here that we will stay together in future too,' he said. Uddhav said that BJP has been dividing people across the country, and it will be replicated in Maharashtra too. 'They divided people in the name of caste in Gujarat in 2017 elections, by dividing Patel and non-Patels, to win the elections. They divided Jats and non Jats in Haryana to win elections. Similar formula was replicated in Maharashtra in Assembly elections by engineering rift between Maarathas and non Maarathas. They will try to divide Marathi speaking people in the name of castes again, but it's time to stand together for the sake of Marathi,' he said . Uddhav also slammed Fadnavis's statement of calling the attack on businessmen in Mira Road as hooliganism. He said if Mararthi people asking for justice is hooliganism, then they will continue to do it. Raj Thackeray said that what his grandfather, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, and some others could not do has been done by Devendra Fadnavis. 'Honourable Balasaheb and a few others tried to bring us together but failed, but it has been done successfully by Fadnvis. We are sharing the dais after 20 years. I do not know what will happen next, but we should all try and fulfill the dream of Balasaheb Thackeray, ' he said. He further said, 'Even LK Advani went to a Christian missionary school but that doesn't affect his Hindutva. Politicians from BJP, actors, musicians, politicians from South went to English medium schools but that does not affect their love for their mother tongue. The BJP has been trying to slam us by raising the issue of the medium of teaching in schools our children learn in, but that does not stop us from safeguarding Marathi.' He said that the BJP has tested waters by imposing Hindi and if they succeed in it, they will attempt to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. 'They imposed Hindi to test the waters. They imposed it without holding deliberation with stakeholders and experts. You have power in the legislature but we have power on the streets,' he said. Raj further asked if Hindi is so powerful, then why the Hindi speaking states are backward compared to other states. 'Why didn't Hindi help them to progress?'
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jat bodies seek OBC quota for community in 3 dists
1 2 Jaipur: Jat organisations held a rally in Nadbai (Bharatpur) Sunday, demanding the inclusion of Jats from Bharatpur, Dholpur and Deeg in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservation in central govt jobs. The leaders issued a one-month ultimatum to the Union govt to act on the long-pending demand, warning of an intensified agitation that could include highway and railway blockades. The central govt provides 27% reservation for OBC. The rally was attended by top community leaders, including representatives of the Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha, Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal, and newly elected Bharatpur MP Sanjna Jatav. "If this 25-year-old demand is not met by the double-engine govt—Bhajan Lal Sharma in Rajasthan and Narendra Modi at the Centre—it would mean they are deliberately ignoring the Jat community," said Beniwal. He added that the govt only remembered the Jat community during elections or symbolic appointments. "They made Jats vice-president or governors only after the community showed its political and social strength," he said. Beniwal criticised Jat leaders in the BJP at both state and national levels for their silence on the issue. "The community is watching, and in the coming elections, leaders will be judged based on their commitment to this cause," he warned. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo MP Sanjana Jatav called the exclusion of Jats from the OBC category in the three districts "blatant discrimination." "There's no justifiable reason to deny reservation to Jats in Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Deeg when their socio-economic condition is no different from Jats in other parts of the country," she said. "Even my own community (Scheduled Castes) supports this demand," she added. Jat leaders reiterated that the community is united on the issue and prepared to take their movement forward if no concrete steps are taken by the govt within the given timeframe. In Rajasthan, Jats are included under the 21% reservation for OBC. However, those domiciled in Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Deeg districts are excluded from the central OBC reservation scheme.
