Former Gujarat Minister Faces BJP Heat After Viral Event Dispute
Bachubhai Khabad, a former Gujarat cabinet minister and BJP MLA from Devgadh Baria, finds himself embroiled in yet another controversy. A video capturing his heated exchange with organizers of a community event in his constituency spread rapidly across social media platforms on Thursday.
Viral Video Captures Tense Confrontation
The footage shows Khabad visibly upset after learning he would not be speaking at Wednesday's gathering. The event was organized by the Koli community to install their local deity, Mandhata Dev. Khabad can be seen gesturing toward the host on stage, demanding to see "the list of speakers."
When informed he was not included among the speakers, Khabad issued warnings about disrupting the proceedings. As organizers stood firm, the argument intensified. Supporters of the MLA climbed onto the stage and attempted to seize the microphone from the host.
Police intervention eventually calmed the situation. Khabad departed without participating in the idol installation rituals that followed the confrontation.
BJP Leadership Takes Serious Note
Senior BJP officials confirmed the party has "taken serious note" of the incident. They indicated that an explanation would be sought from the MLA regarding his conduct at the community event.
This controversy adds to Khabad's troubled recent history. Last May, his two sons faced arrest in connection with multiple MGNREGA scams involving crores of rupees. Following these developments, Khabad was dropped from the state cabinet during last year's reshuffle.
Separate Events Highlight Gujarat's Political Landscape
Meanwhile, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's native village Hanol in Bhavnagar district hosted a three-day 'Atmanirbhar Hanol Mahotsav - 2026' starting January 13. The event was organized by village residents under Mandaviya's guidance.
Distinguished guests included Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, legendary sportspersons Kapil Dev and P.T. Usha, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya, and Gujarat minister Jitu Vaghani. Mandaviya represents Porbandar constituency in the Lok Sabha.
The festival featured diverse programs including a natural farming seminar, kite festival, and 'rural olympics' competitions.
Gujarat High Court Justice Reflects on Career Transition
In unrelated developments, the Gujarat High Court bid farewell to Justice Mauna M Bhatt, who retired on January 14 at age 62. During her formal farewell ceremony, Justice Bhatt shared her unexpected journey from microbiology to law.
"I never intended to pursue law," Justice Bhatt revealed. "After completing my graduation in microbiology, I had envisioned my life surrounded by white lab coats. However, fate had other plans. I entered this august institution after my marriage in 1990 and suddenly realized that a black coat looks better on me than white."
She credited her father-in-law, Supreme Court senior advocate RP Bhatt, for facilitating this "change of coat color." Justice Bhatt also remembered her late parents and grandmother with gratitude.
Reflecting on her mother's guidance, she said, "When my mother sat me down to study, she always told me to live a life that is not wasted. My father believed in me."
As both an advocate and senior standing counsel for the Income Tax department, Justice Bhatt learned valuable lessons from "the finest judges." She emphasized the importance of intellectual honesty, institutional discipline, and collective responsibility.
Offering advice to young legal professionals, Justice Bhatt encouraged them to look at "a world outside your mobile phone" and approach even "complex and forbidding subjects" with proper discipline.
