As police try to bring calm, Gujarat Minister performs aarti at garba event in Gandhinagar village hit by violence

In a post on X, the minister, posting a video of his visit to Bahiyal, which is located about 38 km from the state capital, said, “In Bahiyal, Gandhinagar, anti-social elements attempted to disrupt peace by pelting stones during garba at Mataji Chowk. The Gandhinagar police immediately took action and apprehended the perpetrators.”

“Today, by performing the aarti of Maa Ambe at the same Garba in this village, I assured my mothers, sisters, and citizens that they could once again celebrate the festival of devotion and faith without fear. These days are dedicated to the devotion and worship of Shakti,” Sanghavi added.

On Friday, the Dahegam Police had carried out reconstruction panchnama by taking accused persons to the site of the violence. ASP Ayush Jain said that the situation is under control.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Gandhinagar SP Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said on Friday night, “Things are under control in Bahiyal and we have arrested 61 people, and they have been sent to police custody.”

When asked if the instigators had been identified, SP Vasamsetty said, “We are trying to find those who incited the violence. We are checking CCTV footage from shops. We are also questioning people.”

Regarding the reason for the violence, Jain had earlier said, “There has been a recent trend of putting up ‘I love Mohammad’ and in response, another group started the trend of ‘I Love Mahadev’. In the messages asking people to use the latter as whatsapp status, a particular word in it allegedly enraged a particular community and a fight broke out.”

The violence began between 11 pm and 11:30 pm on September 24. First, one shop was set ablaze. Then more people joined on both sides, and the mob turned violent. There was stone pelting from both sides. A garba was going on nearby. Several public and private vehicles were also set ablaze and destroyed in the ensuing violence, Jain had said.

Dahegam police personnel were present in the area as part of heightened security for Navratri. However, when the mob increased in size and violence spread, more police teams were called in from other parts of Gandhinagar to control the situation. The situation was brought under control by 3 am on September 25.

An FIR was filed against the mob under sections related to rioting, unlawful assembly, attempt to murder, among others, at Dahegam police station.