Amul, a popular dairy cooperative in Gujarat, has been at the center of a controversy surrounding the alleged land grabbing of over 160 bighas of land by its director, Rajesh Pathak, who is also a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA. According to reports, Pathak, a well-known figure in Gujarat, is accused of misusing his position and influence to grab a large tract of land, allegedly at the behest of high-ranking officials.
The controversy surrounding Pathak’s involvement in land grabbing dates back to 2012, when he was the Director of Amul Dairy. At the time, Amul was given permission to acquire a total of 246 bighas of land for the expansion of its dairy plant. However, instead of using the land for the intended purpose, Pathak allegedly diverted the land to himself, re registering it in his name or in the names of his relatives and associates.
An investigation conducted by the State Level Police Organization (STR) found that Pathak had allegedly involved high-ranking officials from the Gujarat government, including IAS and IPS officers, in the land grab. The STR report also revealed that Pathak had used his position to manipulate documents and collude with officials to facilitate the illegal transfer of land.
The Amul dairy union has been demanding Pathak’s resignation and an investigation into the alleged land grab, but so far, the government has taken no significant action. The union has also accused the government of protecting Pathak due to his political connections.
The controversy has led to widespread protests and demonstrations by the Amul union and other rural communities, who claim that Pathak’s actions have led to the disruption of livelihoods and the potential loss of jobs. The opposition parties, including the Congress, have also demanded action against Pathak and have accused the BJP-ruled state government of promoting crony capitalism and nepotism.
The controversy has also sparked a wider debate on the issues of land grab, corruption, and crony capitalism in Gujarat. The case is being closely watched by the public, who are demanding transparency and accountability from the government and its officials. The controversy has raised serious questions about the role of politics and power in the state and the need for greater accountability in public life.