SURAT, July 11: Hundreds of party workers and volunteers marched with flaming torches through the streets of Surat on Saturday night as part of the `Shahid Amar Jyot Mashaal Rally' organised by the South Gujarat unit of the Republican Party of India (RPI).The rally began from the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ring Road and ended at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patal outside the railway station. Hundreds of volunteers including many women took part in the rally that was held in respect of those jawans who lost their lives on the battle front and to express solidarity with those involved in the war with Pakistan-backed intruders in Kashmir.Shouting slogans like `Bharat Mata Ki Jai', `Pakistan Murdabad, Nawaz Sharif Murdabad', `Shahido, Amar Raho', the participants also sang patriotic songs along the route. Passing through Majura Gate, Nanpura, Chowk (where the statue of Gandhi was garlanded), Bhagatalav and Bhagal, the rallyists reached the statue of Sardar Patel, where Party General Secretary Suresh Sonawane, former deputy-mayor B C Sonawane and others made speeches. The rallyists then paid tributes to the martyrs by observing a two-minute silence.Immediately afterwards, the rallyists also burned an effigy of Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif outside the station. The rallyists used the occasion to announce that they were available to serve the country if it required them. A signature campaign to this effect was also held.
