Patidars must heed quota procedures

Associate Prof in sociology, GU & advisor to Justice Sugnya Bhatt OBC commission Patidars want reservations because OBC tag is now stigma-free, says Prof Jani. But he says the agitators must be mindful of the apex court's order stipulating a household survey before OBC status is granted.
Q Can Patels be given OBC reservation?
No community can be given OBC quota without following proper procedure.The agitating Patels are not doing that. The Supreme Court's order is that a complete household survey should be conducted before granting a community OBC status. If this is done, it will be difficult for Patels to get the benefit of reservations. Even if the government agrees to their demand, the survey itself would take years to complete. The agitators don't seem to know this or they want to bypass it by creating political pressure.
Q What has prompted Patels to demand quota?
The immediate reference of the agiators is the Anjana Chaudharys of North Gujarat who enjoy the benefit of reservation. Moreover, Patels realize that OBC status does not carry any stigma anymore.There is no other reason why the agitators should ask for reservations when their fathers had shouted slogans and pelted stones during anti-reservation stir in the 1980s.
Q Why is the government not clear in its response?
The government feels this movement is spontaneous. It has failed to understand why, all of a sudden, reservation has become so important for Patels.
Q Why are they raising this demand now?
Employment opportunities in government have been shrinking and the private sector too is not providing many jobs. More importantly, the realization of the sheer political and economic power of Patels in Gujarat is the main driver of this stir. Against only 12% share in the state's population, Patels have 56 MLAs in the assembly. This speaks volumes about their political and social unity. No other caste or community in India enjoys such solidarity as Patels.