Behind The Saurashtra State Demand

Only a month ago the demand for a separate State for Saurashtra was very much in the news in Gujarat. Now it is not so much in the news, and only the rumblings of a stir are heard. The move has gone underground. Is it merely a part of the strategy of a pressure ground? Or, is it a genuine urge of the people for a separate state? There have been no public meetings, no confabulations among leaders have been publicised and no public statements have come from them.There is not even a controversy in the press. From the parties, groups and personalities involved in it, one can nevertheless sense what is behind the demand. Saurashtra became a separate State soon after Independence.As a State it had acquired its distinct identity; it was vigorous, wellestablished, very much alert and kicking long before the present Gujarat State was born. After the bifurcation of Bombay, it ceased to be. But that was only the other day.There would be nothing surprising if a separatist movement were to come up. One has to have an insight into the mind of the Jain business community of Gujarat and Saurashtra, and the labyrinthine ways of their thought pattern to sense if there is anything behind all this.

Dhebar's Tactics 
When Gujarat became a separate State and Saurashtra was merged in it, Jivaraj Mehta, hailing from Saurashtra, because its Chief Minister, Rasikhlal Parekh, the Home Minister, and Ratubhai Adani, the Minister of Cooperation. This Ministry was thrown out by a vote of noconfidence by the Congress party.Balwantrai Mehta who succeeded Jivraj as Chief Minister was also from Saurashtra.