Surat : Activist Assaulted in Diamond Hub For Awareness on Wrong-Side Driving

Surat : The esteemed reputation of Varachha, Surat renowned as the diamond hub of the world, was marred when an incident involving the assault of prominent road safety activist Piyush Dhanani shook the diamond city. Dhanani, a fervent advocate for road safety education, faced a violent altercation with commuters in Chikuwadi, Varachha, while endeavoring to guide them away from driving on the wrong side of the road.

The incident unfolded in the heart of Varachha, a domain predominantly inhabited by the Saurashtrian Patels, prominent figures in the diamond industry. Piyush Dhanani, a Saurashtrian Patidar himself, has been dedicatedly educating Surat residents on road safety and traffic management for several years.

Dhanani’s campaign in the Varachha area aimed at curbing the hazardous practice of wrong-way driving. Unfortunately, a confrontation with one commuter escalated, triggering a violent outburst from a group who subsequently targeted Dhanani. Witnesses observed the brutal assault as Dhanani was attacked and dragged by the enraged commuters, believed to be affiliated with the diamond trade.

Despite a gathering of onlookers, no one intervened to rescue Dhanani from the aggressive assailants. Varachha, hosting numerous prominent diamond companies, has struggled with notorious road safety issues due to the bustling diamond trade, resulting in congested streets throughout the day.

Expressing shock over the incident, Dhanani, who has tirelessly led road safety initiatives without encountering such aggression in the past, recounted the altercation that commenced when he intervened to prevent a moped driver from violating traffic rules.

“My mission has always been to foster a safer environment on our roads. It’s disheartening that such an attempt resulted in violence. We need to collectively address road safety without resorting to aggression,” Dhanani stated.

This incident has sparked concerns about the state of road safety and the need for community efforts to cultivate a culture of respect for traffic regulations in Varachha, a vital hub in the global diamond trade.

Sanjay Ezhava, a social activist said, “Varachha is notorious for traffic rule violations. The area boasts of big diamond companies, but it has gained notoriety in the traffic sense of the commuters. The activists like Piyush Dhanani are continuously spreading awareness among the public, but in vain”