Gujarat looks away from Padmaavat stir, chooses to step up Republic Day preparations

Despite the Gujarat government efforts to maintain law and order across the state, the protesters forcefully managed to keep the major establishments closed in almost North Gujarat. However, amidst the rising rage, the government was busy making state-level preparations for the Republic Day in Mehsana, a town which is an epicentre of protest and agitations in the region. The governor, CM and Deputy CM participated in many ceremonies and related programmes during a day, when the town was almost closed.

The North Gujarat region was hit badly due to the forceful close gave by Karni Sena and Rajput community on Thursday. While all buses run by state transport department remained non-operational, educational and commercial establishments also remained shut during the day. The movement was seen at the ceremonies of the celebration of republic day eve, elsewhere the life was almost stopped.

The impact of the bandh call was seen in capital city Gandhinagar too, where all the commercial establishments remained close. However, all the ministers and the senior officials had reached at the different district headquarters under their charge for the republic day celebration. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel attended Gujarat Science Carnival in Visnagar town of Mehsana district and inaugurated the event. The CM announced that the state government would open science museums in Patan, Bhuj, Vadodara and Rajkot in days to come.

Governor OP Kohli gave away police medals to 50 police officials and police men in the state for their gallantric performance. The governor, CM and deputy CM remained present in the At-Home ceremony held in Mehsana town on the eve of the Republic day.

On the other side, the minister of state for home, Pradipsinh Jadeja, remained in Gandhinagar only at his official residence and he was reviewing the condition across the state from there.