Patidar quota stir: Mehsana on the edge, social media banned

Mehsana Collector Lochan Sehra issued a public notification in this regard on Friday. When contacted, Sehra said that the ground where the proposed gathering has been organised can accommodate not more than 15,000 people. However, the organisers wanted the permission for 1 lakh people.

“This will lead to chaos and perhaps stampede. That’s the reason we have refused to grant permission. If the organisers seek permission with modification, we are ready to permit them.”

When the Patidar quota stir had turned violent in August last year, Mehsana bore the brunt of large-scale violence where the agitators targeted several BJP leaders and ministers’ houses, besides damaging public properties. Incidentally, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel hails from Mehsana.

Ahmedabad City PAAS spokesperson and convener Atul Patel said permission has not been granted for the rally, but it won’t stop the men and women from the community from reaching Mehsana from across the state. “There will be more than a lakh people from the community. The Gujarat government has not granted us permission for holding any event. This is the most unfortunate saga of Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi, where even the women are being prohibited from participating in a peaceful gathering,” Patel said.

Earlier, PAAS leaders had moved Gujarat High Court, seeking permission to hold the event through lawyer B M Mangukia. Last Friday, justice Sonia Gokani had ordered the local mamlatdar to decide on the issue based on the principles laid down by the Supreme Court. Justice Gokani wrote, “…The authority concerned shall have to be guided by the statute, rules and regulations and these are not unregulatory discretion. At the same time, it is essential to exercise the discretion bearing in mind the larger public interest. Such orders impose reasonable restriction upon freedom of speech and expression. Any imminent threat to public order and public tranquility, if anticipated, desirable directions restricting such right of expression shall need to be passed.”

The court had directed the local authority to pass an appropriate order by February 25. The local authorities have denied the permission for the event.