The Hindu : National : Non-Gujaratis upset at Surat Commissioner’s remarks

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Non-Gujaratis upset at Surat Commissioner’s remarks

Special Correspondent

“You are free to go back if you don’t like it here”

Commissioner blames media for “misreporting”
Media banned from entering corporation premises

AHMEDABAD: An alleged remark by Surat Municipal Commissioner S. Aparna has infuriated thousands of non-Gujarati residents in the diamond city who have threatened to take the matter to Delhi for justice.

Ms. Aparna, in turn, blamed local television channels for “misreporting” and banned the media from entering the municipal corporation premises.

On her instruction, the security staff prevented Congress councillors also from entering the civic body office for some time. They wanted to represent the case of the non-Gujaratis.

On Friday, during her visit to the flood-affected Sanjaynagar slums, some residents, hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, mentioned about out deplorable conditions there and reportedly told her that the conditions in their houses back home were “much better than this.”

Ms. Aparna allegedly retorted that they were free to go back, but they should appreciate the efforts made by authorities to improve their living conditions.

“Have you seen an IAS officer visiting slums in U.P. or Bihar to personally inquire about your problems,” she asked. A section of the local media, however, ran a story claiming that the Commissioner had asked the non-Gujarati residents to leave Surat.

The agitated non-Gujarati residents on Saturday spent their time in temples praying to god to “bless her with right intelligence.”

Denied permission to seek her reaction, a section of mediapersons clashed with the security staff, but Ms. Aparna refused to make any comment.

Government issues apology

PTI reports:

The Gujarat government on Saturday night issued an apology for Ms. Aparna’s remarks.

In a statement, it expressed regrets over the statement of the Surat Municipal Commissioner.

“Gujarat welcomes people from all over the country. The Government of Gujarat is committed to provide civic amenities to the people who come here for jobs,” Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel said.

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