108 mazars demolished, CM’s bulldozer moving across Gujarat, says Sanghavi

“Today, the point mentioned by Amitbhai… He said that a derasar was removed in Jamalpur. Now, Dada’s (Bhupendra Patel) bulldozer is moving around in every nook and corner of the state so that no temple or devsthan can be removed while hatching a conspiracy. Nobody knows where will it (bulldozer) go,” said Sanghavi.

Referring to the redevelopment of Uparkot fort in Junagadh, he then said, “In Uparkot, it was not known where (and when) all mazars were built. How can it be built suddenly?”

He added, “In all, 108 mazars have been demolished (in the state) and the state’s properties have been opened… The enroachment around Somnath has been removed. This bulldozer of Dada can enter a 20-ft wide street and an 80-m wide road.” Sanghavi further said that the “bulldozer” is ready to demolish any encroachment, which is part of a conspiracy.

The government has restored the historic Uparkot fort at a cost of Rs 74 crore. It was inaugurated by Patel last September.

Sanghavi said that the anti-encroachment drive that started from Dwarka has reached Porbandar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pavagadh, Gir Somnath and Jamnagar.

Referring to Navratri, when the government allowed people to perform garba throughout the nine nights of the festival, the minister said: “Navratri was allowed (to be celebrated) the whole night so that the people of Gujarat can worship the goddess and play raas throughout the night. Considering the Surpeme Court and (Gujarat) High Court and its fear, we definitely got the sound (of music) decreased.”

“But because Navratri could be allowed till late night, it brought Diwali to numerous households. To get figure of that (how many households), one needs to ask the poor, the vendors and those running small restaurants,” he added.

“I made a statement (then) that if the people of my state cannot perform garba then would they do so in Pakistan? The very next day of this statement, people from a party (moved) a PIL in the HC. They have problem if people of the state perform garba till late in the night. Can’t people perform garba till late? We had to face that situation,” the minister said. He was referring to a resident of Ahmedabad approaching the HC with a complaint, objecting to reports of Sanghavi having orally instructed the police to allow garbas to go on after the midnight deadline.

Sanghavi, in his 1 hour and 40 minute speech sought the House’s nod to the budgetary demands of Home and Transport departments. While the demands of the Transport department were passed unanimously, those related to the Home department were passed with a majority vote.