Surat Police Detain Congress Leaders Over Amreli Protest

Surat : Senior Congress leaders Paresh Dhanani and Pratap Dudhat were detained by Surat police on January 13 for organizing a dharna protest under the banner ‘Nari Swabhiman Andolan’ at Mangadh Chowk, Varachha. The demonstration aimed to demand justice for a Patidar girl allegedly paraded in public by the police in Amreli district. The girl was reportedly implicated in a fake letter scandal targeting senior BJP leaders.

The protest, held without police permission, saw heavy security deployment since early morning at Mangadh Chowk, a historic site for social and political movements. Surat police rounded up around 40 to 50 Congress leaders, including Dhanani and Dudhat, before the sit-in could begin. The leaders had gathered to garland the Sardar statue as a symbolic start to their protest.

Speaking about the incident, Paresh Dhanani criticized the authorities for suppressing peaceful protests. “When a daughter is victimized, it’s our duty to stand for her justice. Freedom was achieved through movements, yet today, we’re not allowed to protest peacefully. Despite seeking permission for Mangadh Chowk, the police denied it, and we were forced to organize the sit-in without approval. If this continues, we’ll escalate our protest to the Varachha police station,” Dhanani asserted.

The controversy stems from a fake letter that surfaced two weeks ago, allegedly written by Amreli Taluka Panchayat President Kishore Kanpariya. The letter accused Gujarat Assembly Deputy Whip Kaushik Vekariya of corruption. The issue escalated when the police arrested three individuals, including Payal Goti, for their alleged involvement in creating the fake letter.

The situation worsened when reports emerged that Payal Goti, one of the accused, was publicly paraded by the police. The incident sparked outrage across Gujarat, particularly among the Patidar community. Amid growing criticism, the superintendent of police in Amreli formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case further.

Congress leaders, including Dhanani, have actively criticized the government for its handling of the case. Earlier, Dhanani staged a 48-hour dharna at Rajkamal Chowk in Amreli, followed by an announcement of a district-wide bandh on January 11. The protests reflect the escalating political tension and the opposition’s demand for accountability from the state government.

Varachha Police, anticipating the unrest, brought in reinforcements from nearby police stations. The heightened security ensured that the Congress leaders were detained promptly, preventing the dharna from disrupting public order.

This incident underscores the rising political unrest in Gujarat, particularly over sensitive issues involving community sentiments. While Congress continues to demand justice for the Patidar girl, the government faces mounting criticism for allegedly suppressing dissent.