The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday announced a three-phase statewide agitation in Gujarat to protest the sentencing of its Dediapada MLA and tribal leader Chaitar Vasava to seven years in prison. The party accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of systematically crushing opposition voices.
Agitation Schedule Announced
AAP's Gujarat in-charge Gopal Rai detailed the protest plan at a press conference. Support marches will be held across all districts on June 26 and across all Assembly constituencies on June 28. The third phase will be announced later.
Rai said, “The ED Party was systematically crushing every opposition voice and carrying out ruthless repression in an attempt to completely dismantle Indian democracy. A new chapter of this campaign unfolded in Gujarat on Tuesday.”
Case Against Chaitar Vasava
Chaitar Vasava, a prominent tribal leader from Dediapada, was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment in an assault case. AAP claims the case is politically motivated. Rai compared Vasava's case to that of Hardik Patel, who faced sedition charges during the Patidar agitation but had them withdrawn after joining the BJP and becoming an MLA.
“During the Patidar movement, when Hardik Patel was leading the agitation, the ED Party government and the police had filed several cases against him, including sedition. However, after Hardik Patel joined the ED Party and became an MLA, the sedition case against him was withdrawn on Tuesday,” Rai said.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
Rai highlighted the alleged cruelty in Vasava's case, noting that his wife, who has a 17-day-old infant, was forced to go to jail along with the child. “This crossed all limits of humanity and compassion,” he said. AAP has called the sentencing a vendetta by the BJP-led government.
Political Implications
The agitation is seen as AAP's effort to consolidate tribal support in Gujarat, where tribal communities form a significant vote bank. The party has been trying to expand its footprint in the state, which has been a BJP stronghold for decades.
