Former Gujarat Chief Minister and senior political leader Shankarsinh Vaghela's comments have created a huge uproar across the state. His challenge to upper castes who oppose reservations to do manual scavenging (cleaning work) has become controversial.

Vaghela was speaking at a meeting of tribal farmers held in Sagbara in Narmada district on October 2. On this occasion, while mentioning the issue of reservations, he clarified that it is not alms given by anyone, but a right that has been obtained in return for decades of discrimination. He made these comments aimed at the Patel, Bania and Brahmin communities who oppose reservations.

There was strong opposition to Vaghela's comments from the BJP, Patidar and Brahmin communities. BJP leader and Brahmo Samaj leader Yagnesh Dave reacted strongly and challenged Vaghela to do the same work in his house and offered Rs. 5 lakh per month. Patidar leader Alpesh Kathiria also demanded an immediate apology from Vaghela. Interestingly, Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda and several other Congress leaders also attended the event. At the same time, there are strong reports that Shankarsinh Vaghela is going to rejoin the

Congress
fold. He left the party in 2017 and recently announced that he is ready to rejoin the Congress to defeat the BJP. It is reported that the talks related to this are in the final stages. He will also campaign on behalf of the Congress in the upcoming Gandhinagar municipal elections. While the controversy over these comments continues, an official announcement on his joining the Congress is yet to be made.