General
Koli community has little voice in Gujarat politics despite one-third vote and population

The Koli community accounts for one-third of the population of Gujarat and has an equal vote share in the state. They can influence election results in 82 assembly seats with their domination over 44-45 seats, yet they have very little say in the leading political discourse and state politics.
As per youth leaders of the community, this is an outcome of the poor literacy rate in the community and socially and economically weak sub-caste based divisions within the community as community bigwigs are focused on their individual progress and not of the upliftment of the entire community.
Community youth leaders are trying to unite community members but the influential ones within are splitting them on the basis of sub-castes like Talapada Koli, Chuvalia Koli, Kedia Koli, Koli Patel etc. But now the youths have decided to fight them because “our existence and political weightage are at stake,” said Ranji Solanki, national president of New Samaj Koli Kranti Sena.
He cited two instances: recently, in the Jamraval municipal elections in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Koli community members contested under Vyavastha Parivartan Party symbol (VPP). It got a thumping majority as out of the 33 seats, 31 went to the Koli community and candidates of VPP. The BJP and the Congress were routed.
Citing the second instance, Solanki said that “On May 18, we will lay the foundation stone of a school funded by a Koli charitable trust in Surendranagar. This will be a primary school and as more funds come, the school will be upgraded to senior levels. The community has decided that no political leaders invited for the occasion will be seated on the stage – they will be in the audience with other ordinary community members.”
“Along the Saurashtra coast in Rajkot, Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Botad, Morbi districts, and in Bharuch, Surat, Valsad, Navsari cities in South Gujarat, the Koli community has dominance over many assembly seats. If political parties do not field Koli candidates then they can get defeated. But this is not happening because the community lacks unity. Various groups are now working to unite the entire community,” says Ranchhod Ughreja, president of Koli Thakor Sena, Rajkot.
He and other community members realise that “The way to unite the community is by means of literacy and socio-economic development. So, groups within the community are working on it, setting up educational institutes, spreading awareness about the need for education for the next generation. Once this and financial stability is achieved, it will be easy to unite the community,” believes Ughreja.
“The tug of war between two stalwarts, Akhil Bharatiya Koli Samaj President Ajit Patel and former minister Kunvarji Bavaliya has intensified and it will have a detrimental impact on the political weightage in the upcoming assembly elections,” fears Jethabha Jora who has been serving the community for more than three decades.
“Political parties hardly field 15 to 20 candidates. Though the community is decisive in 44 to 45 seats, internal fights between leaders take precedence over fighting for the community’s right and due representation,” said a Koli community leader requesting anonymity.
Maharashtra
Ruckus created in Kurla over I Love Muhammad sticker, Soumya’s ultimatum, Soumya’s visit again after no progress in investigation, attempt to worsen the situation

Mumbai: The controversy over I Love Muhammad has intensified in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Mumbai. BJP leader Kirat Soumya has objected to the pasting of I Love Muhammad stickers on vehicles at traffic stops in the Kurla area on the outskirts of Mumbai and demanded the registration of an FIR. After giving a 48-hour ultimatum to the Kurla police station, Kirat Soumya has again visited the Kurla police station today and demanded the registration of a case for the forcible pasting of stickers on vehicles. In this matter, the police have asked Kirat Soumya to consult the law department and seek time for progress in the matter until Tuesday. When Kirat Soumya was asked what he had against I Love Muhammad and why he opposed it, he denied it and said that everyone has the right to take the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but hooliganism will not be tolerated under the guise of this. The way the stickers were forcibly pasted on the roads without permission is the same. It is illegal. Kret Soumya said that the police have provided all the video footage and other documents, but the police have not registered a case yet. The police have given me time till Tuesday. Now the police will take some action after consulting the law department. When Kret Soumya was asked whether anyone had gone to the police station and complained about the forced sticker application, he said that since I am the complainant, the police should take action against this hooliganism. After Kret Soumya’s demand, attempts have been made to spoil the situation in Kurla, due to which the atmosphere is tense.
Maharashtra
The streets echoed with the slogans of Takbir Allahu Akbar and Rasool, the Muslim youth arrested in the ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy should be released, demand the scholars.

Mumbai: The historic 71-year-old Ghausia procession was taken out from Madanpura Hari Masjid in Mumbai with great respect and dignity. The Ghausia procession was led by scholars, while the devotees of Ghaus Azam participated in the procession carrying the flag of the Prophet. The streets of Mumbai echoed with slogans like Takbir Allah Akbar, we will not leave the fold of Ghaus. The police had made strict security arrangements after the violence in Bareilly. After the controversy over I Love Muhammad, there was a high alert in Mumbai as well.
The scholars were seen in old and antique cars in the Ghausia procession, while all the scholars and devotees of Ghaus Azam, including students of madrasas, were part of the procession. The procession passed through traditional highways from Madanpura to Ghausia and ended with prayers at Mastan Talab. Success lies in following the teachings of Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir (may Allah be pleased with him), therefore, it is essential for Muslims to observe prayers and follow Sharia. This advice was given by Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan while narrating the biography of Ghaus-e-Pak before the Ghausiya procession today.
He said that the Ghausiya procession has completed 70 years. It is the need of the hour for Muslims to maintain unity and agreement among themselves. The message of humanity has been spread by Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir (may Allah be pleased with him). On the controversy over Come Muhammad, Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) has spread the message of love. He came as a mercy for humanity, but today in this fascinating era, the market of hatred is hot. Politics is also going on in the name of Come Muhammad and attempts are being made to spoil the situation, which is completely wrong. Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that Ghaus-e-Azam Dastgir has countless discoveries and miracles and he has advised to acquire knowledge.
He has also traveled from Jilani to Baghdad to acquire knowledge, so education is of great importance in Islam. He said that the first letter of the name of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is M, that is why everyone loves Muhammad (peace be upon him). On the Bareilly violence, Maulana Maqsood Ali Khan said that the Muslim youth arrested on charges of violence should be conditionally released. Muslims had protested peacefully in love with the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Along with this, Maulana Tauqeer Raza should also be released.
In all the monasteries, including Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (may Allah be pleased with him), there are more non-Muslim attendees than Muslims, and this is a manifestation of brotherhood and national unity. He said that opposing the name of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is absolutely not right. He (peace be upon him) loved even his enemies. A person who is devoted to him (peace be upon him) only spreads the message of love. Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman said that the secret of success lies in following the teachings of Ghaus-e-Pak (may Allah have mercy on him).
Therefore, Muslims should hold firmly to the rope of Islam and follow the Holy Sharia. He said that in today’s fascinating era, sectarian forces are hatching conspiracies against Islam, along with which attempts are being made to commit atrocities on Muslims, but the grace of Ghaus-e-Pak will always remain with us Muslims. The government should immediately release the Muslim youth arrested in Bareilly and other cities of Uttar Pradesh and impose a ban on unnecessary arrests. Maulana Manan Raza Khan Manani Mian, Maulana Syed Kausar Rabbani, Alhaj Saeed Noori Raza Academy, Maulana Abdul Qadir Alvi, Maulana Farid-ul-Zaman, Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Noori, Maulana Ijaz Kashmiri, Maulana Amanullah Raza, Mufti Zubair Barkati, Hafiz Abdul Qadir, Qari Niaz Ahmed, Qari Nazim Ali Barkati, Qari Abdul Rehman Ziaei, Maulana Ibrahim Asi, Hafiz Shadab, Haji Barakat Ahmed Ashrafi and other scholars and intellectuals participated.
Maharashtra
I am grateful to Uddhav Thackeray: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis targeted Uddhav Thackeray and said that Uddhav Thackeray did not say a single word about development works in the Dussehra rally. I am grateful to him because he saved me Rs 1,000. I had said that Uddhav Thackeray would not talk about development works and that is what happened, that is why I have saved Rs 1,000. Fadnavis said that instead of politicizing the floods in the state, there is a need for assistance. He said that the way the government has helped the flood-affected areas has definitely brought some relief. Along with this, Fadnavis called Rahul Gandhi a liar for targeting the country’s democracy abroad and said that Rahul Gandhi does not believe in democracy, that is why he lies. His grandmother Indira Gandhi had imposed emergency in the country. Now, democracy in the country is in danger.
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