Anandiben Patel to take part in Shiv Mahaarti today

Interestingly, the performers at this event were Gujarati artists who had pulled out of Cabinet Minister Saurabh Patel-led Vadfest after a much public spat with the organisers — Vatsala Patil, Purshottam Upadhyay, Atul Purohit and Deepak Joshi.

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Late on Sunday night, the Karelibaug police registered an FIR against Shukla and Mukti for flouting the 10 pm police notification on the use of loudspeakers and cultural public events. The police FIR states that the programme held at Ambalal Park in Karelibaug in which Upadhyay, Patil, Purohit and Joshi rendered vocal performances went on until 11.15 pm. An officer of the Karelibaug police said, “The FIR was registered suo motu by the police that was present on the spot. We did not get any complaint about the programme.”

The FIR is being discussed and debated by party leaders. Incidentally, MLA Patel along with MLAs Jitendra Sukhadia and Rajendra Trivedi had publicly opposed the recently concluded Vadfest, led by Cabinet Minister Saurabh Patel and supported by the Tourism Department of the Government of Gujarat. The week-long Shiv Mahotsav, which was planned by MLA Patel has been viewed as a counter to Vadfest as Patel was upset that Vadfest organisers levied “unaffordable tickets”.

Shukla, who is part of MLA Yogesh Patel’s Shivji ki Savari organisation, said he was flummoxed at being booked by the police because he was not even present at the venue. “I do not understand their need to file this FIR, first of all. Secondly, I was not at the venue. I am part of this event as a volunteer and will always remain. I fail to understand why the police are targeting this concert, when most other concerts, including those for Vadfest flouted the 10 pm deadline,” Shukla said.

Although Vadfest concerts were timed between 7 pm and 10 pm, officially, most concerts, barring that of Greek pianist Yanni, ended at about 11.30 pm or later. “For the Kailash Kher and Sunidhi Chauhan show at MSU Pavillion, Kher arrived on stage after 10.30 pm and began his 90 minute concert. Sonu Nigam too performed until almost 12 am. The commissioner of police was among the guests in the audience along with other high-ranking officers. Why didn’t they initiate action against Vadfest and booked a show in which Patil, Upadhyay, Purohit and Joshi performed? It is revenge by BJP leaders who were part of Vadfest,” said a party leader.

According to party sources, Mayor Bharat Shah and other party leaders have been “issued instructions” to not attend the cultural event organised by MLA Yogesh Patel.

Raopura MLA, Advocate Rajendra Trivedi, who had opposed Vadfest along with MLA Yogesh Patel in January, feels the police have misused their discretionary power against one event of Shiv Mahotsav. Trivedi said, “When A R Rahman could rehearse until 3 am for Vadfest and a Qawwali programme could go on until 4 am in Juni Gadi on February 11 without any police action, then why have the organisers of this event been booked? It is beyond understanding. We are not opposed to other programmes going on until late. But does a Rahman rehearsal lasting till 3 am not amount to violation of notification?”

Commissioner of Police E Radhakrishana said the action was initiated against the organisers because of non-compliance to the instruction of the officers to conclude the event after deadline. Radhakrishana denied any prejudiced action and said, “Vadfest cannot be brought in as an example because all concerts for Vadfest had a special Gujarat Government permission to go on until 12 am. There was no notification violation for Vadfest. On Sunday, our ACP had asked the organisers to wind up after the deadline and they misbehaved with the officers, after which they were booked. Just because some other events flout the 10 pm deadline, it does not mean everyone must do it.” Radhakrishana said that those named in the FIR could face arrest as per “due procedure of law”.

MLA Yogesh Patel refused to comment on the issue. Organisers said Tuesday’s procession of Shivji ki Savari will commence at the scheduled time from Raopura.

Anandi Patel will join the Mahaarti at Sursagar lake at 6.30 pm.