Kshatriya protests against Rupala intensify after three detained for burning effigy

However, during the panchnama conducted by the police of the spot in the presence of a city engineer of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), the city engineer certified there is no major damage to the road. Therefore, we have deleted that section from the FIR,” Raju Bhargava, Rajkot city police commissioner, told The Indian Express on Sunday. Another official added that section 435 of the IPC – mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to the amount of one hundred rupees – was also dropped.

Bhargava added that the section on criminal conspiracy was invoked as the act of burning the effigy was “premeditated”. “They came with an effigy prepared in advance. This shows they had pre-plans to do that act even though there was no permission to gather where they were holding protests,” he said.

Incidentally, scores of pyres were lit on city roads during Holi festivities on March 24. However, RMC officials said no complaints were filed for damaging the road. “As far as the complaint following the effigy burning in Railnagar is concerned, we have not filed any criminal complaint. Our engineers could have given a report after being sought by police in that regard. So, that is a technical issue,” a senior RMC officer said.

The three accused, all residents of Rajkot, were granted bail on Sunday evening, officers said.

The Kshatriya community has been protesting against Rupala since a video of his address at an event organised by the Valmiki Dalit community went viral on March 23. In the video, he is heard saying: “Others also ruled us. So did the British and they spared nothing to persecute. Even the kings bowed down. They broke bread with them and married their daughters to them. But my Rukhi (Dalit) community neither changed their religion nor established such ties though they were persecuted the most. However, they didn’t budge. Trusting them, Lord Ram has come back after 1,000 years.”

Hours after the video went viral, Rupala released a video statement apologising for his remarks. He publicly apologised again at a meeting of the Kshatriya community organised by Jayrajsinh Jadeja, a former BJP MLA from Gondal, on Friday. After Rupala’s second apology, Jadeja had declared that the Kshatriya community “accepted” Rupala’s apology.

However, the Kshatriya Karni Sena rejected Rupala’s apology and has been demanding that the BJP withdraw Rupala as its Rajkot candidate.

With members of the Kshatriya Karni Sena also threatening to stage more protests, security has been beefed up at Rupala’s residence in Rajkot. “We have provided him with private security guards but in view of the announcements by some groups to stage surprising events, we have deployed four to five people at his residence and have intensified patrolling in the area where he lives,” Bhargava said.