Latest news with #Patels
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Parsi, Bohri and even Patel can become Mayor of Mumbai, says SP MLA Rais Shaikh
MUMBAI: A day after BJP legislator Ameet Satam made a provocative statement suggesting that a Khan might become the Mayor of Mumbai, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh stated that Mumbai belongs to people of all castes and religions. He emphasized that Parsis, Bohris, Memons, Patels, Agris, Kolis, and Muslims have all previously served as mayors of the city. "Even if a Khan becomes the mayor tomorrow, he will contribute to the development of Mumbai," said MLA Rais Shaikh during his speech in the Assembly. 'No one owns Mumbai. People from all castes and religions have contributed to its growth. If we look at the list of mayors since 1931, we find names like J. B. Boman, H. M. Rahimtullah, Y. J. Mehar Ali, S. P. Sabawala, E. A. Bandukwala, A. U. Memon, and S. K. Patil,' said Shaikh. "The claim of changing the 'color' of Mumbai is completely baseless." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Shaikh's remarks were in response to BJP MLA Ameet Satam, who had alleged a conspiracy to "change the color of Mumbai" and suggested that a Khan might soon become mayor. Shaikh also raised the issue of traffic congestion in Bhiwandi. 'The government is aiming to make Maharashtra a one-trillion-dollar economy and to develop Bhiwandi into a logistics hub. But when will the traffic issues here be resolved?' MLA Shaikh asked. 'The redevelopment of buildings in Bhiwandi is not progressing. As a result, unauthorized constructions are increasing, and the number of dangerous buildings is rising,' said Shaikh. Satam had on Tuesday said in the Legislative Assembly that a conspiracy is underway to polarize the city for vote-bank politics. Satam said in the days to come, 'some Khan will become the Mayor of Mumbai, adding that attempts are being made to polarize and divide Mumbai. While efforts have been made to modernize and secure the city through infrastructure projects under CM Devendra Fadnavis, there are also attempts by certain elements to change the colour of Mumbai, Satam had said.
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Operation Sindoor: Patel community in Kutch offers free medical aid
Kutch: Amid heightened tensions and war-like conditions, the Patel community in Kutch has taken a significant step to support national defense and civilian welfare. The Leuva Patel community, in collaboration with K.K. Bhuj Hospital, has announced that it will provide free medical treatment to injured soldiers and civilians, should the need arise. This is important for Kutch as it shares a long and sensitive international border with Pakistan, including both land and marshy terrain across the Rann of Kutch. This makes it a critical frontline region for border surveillance and defense preparedness. After Operation Sindoor -- a successful military exercise showcasing India's rapid response -- Kutch's position as a potential theatre for any conflict scenario has become more prominent. Secondly, the region houses key military installations and infrastructure, including air bases and radar systems, which are crucial for coastal and border security. The Bhuj Air Force Station, for example, plays a pivotal role in monitoring western airspace and ensuring quick deployment capabilities. In a display of preparedness and community solidarity, both Leuva Patel community and K.K. Bhuj Hospital have collectively arranged for 400 hospital beds, with 50 beds already kept on reserve to respond swiftly to any emergency. The hospitals will be equipped to handle a variety of medical needs, ensuring comprehensive care without any charge. Community donors and philanthropists have also pledged their full support, vowing to make all necessary resources available in the event of a crisis. The Patel community, also known as Patidars, is one of the most influential and economically powerful communities in Gujarat. Comprising an estimated 12 to 14 per cent of the state's population, their political and economic significance far exceeds their numerical strength. The community is broadly divided into two major sub-groups -- Leuva Patels, predominantly found in central and southern Gujarat, and Kadva Patels, mainly concentrated in northern Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. Politically, the Patels have been a dominant force in Gujarat's political landscape. They have long been a core support base for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and several prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, hail from the community.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
2 Massachusetts men posing as DOJ workers scammed Maine woman out of $40K, police say
A pair of Massachusetts men were arrested after authorities say they used a PayPal scheme to scam a Maine woman out of tens of thousands of dollars. Dev Patel, 19, of Westford, and Love Patel, 24, of Mansfield, are both facing a charge of Class C theft by deception, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Farmington, Maine. A detective investigating a report on Tuesday of a woman in Rangeley Plantation who had been defrauded out of $40,000 learned the Patels were posing as Department of Justice employees when they visited the victim's home and demanded her money as part of an 'investigation,' Sheriff Scott R. Nichols said in a news release. The Patels were arrested Wednesday at the victim's home in Rangeley Plantation after investigators learned of their plan to return to collect an additional $32,000. Nichols' office has since notified federal authorities of the investigation. It wasn't immediately clear when the Patels would face a judge. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
