The move had ignited a debate in Surat over whether the Ramkatha was being organised to change the discourse from agitation to patriotism
The Election Commission has directed the organisers of Morari Bapu's Ramkatha in Surat not to hold it on Saturday until the first phase polling of the Gujarat Assembly elections does not come to an end.
The DNA had first reported on November 14 that Ramkatha was being organised in Surat in the middle of a busy election schedule from December 2 to 10 and might create problems as the polling day in Surat happens to be on December 9.
The move had ignited a debate in Surat over whether the Ramkatha was being organised to change the discourse from agitation to patriotism. It is being organised by pro-RSS Veer Maruti Jawan Trust of diamond merchants and builders to raise Rs 200 crore to honour and help Army martyrs' families.
It also raising funds to help the descendants of great patriots such as Rani Laxmi Bai and the families of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev.
Moreover, Morari Bapu is also considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
EC sources said though the Commission had not given any instructions not to allow candidates from participating in it, they deliberately kept out of it knowing that their participation would be deemed as electoral campaigning and the day's expenses of Ramkatha would be counted in their election expenses.
With candidates allowed to spend only up to Rs 28 lakh, participation in Ramkatha for a single session could send their election expenses swelling by Rs 1.4 crore (total cost of holding 10 day Ramkatha has been pegged at Rs 14 crore by the organisers) which may result in the cancellation of their candidature.
However, this does not explain the Surat police stopping Patidar youth leader Hardik Patel, who is not even fighting elections, from entering the Ramkatha on Friday.
Hardik tweeted on Friday morning, "Just now I was going to attend Morari Bapu's Ramkatha in Surat, but police stopped me and said the model code of conduct was in force, you cannot go. Model code even in religious matters. Ram Ram."
Incidentally, Ramkatha is being organised at Surat's Varachha Road which is dominated by the Patidar community and has been one of the epicentres of anti-BJP protests.
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