The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat has scheduled a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Botad for Sunday at 5 pm following the detention of Raju Karpada, the president of its Farmers’ Cell, by local authorities on Friday night. Karpada was apprehended after midnight on Friday for organizing a sit-in protest at the Botad Marketing Yard, where farmers alleged unfair pricing for their cotton produce. The party criticized the BJP, claiming that farmers in the state were being treated unjustly.
Farmers had reported that they were receiving lower prices for their cotton, dropping from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,150 per 20 kg, allegedly due to the crop being deemed “wet.” In response, Raju Karpada visited the Botad Marketing Yard on Friday to demand better rates on behalf of the farmers. When his demands to the Marketing Yard chairman were not met, Karpada initiated a protest, accusing the yard management of exploiting farmers.
Late on Friday night, the police detained Karpada and dispersed the accompanying farmers, instructing them to go back home. This incident has triggered political tensions, with AAP leaders accusing the Gujarat government of stifling farmers’ voices. AAP Gujarat State President Ishudan Gadhvi strongly condemned the detention, criticizing the Bhupendra Patel government and the Director General of Police (DGP).
Gadhvi asserted that when their Farmers’ Cell president advocated for farmer rights and fair cotton prices, hundreds of police officers arrived at 3 am under the Chief Minister’s orders to arrest Raju Karpada. Gadhvi accused BJP leaders of exploiting farmers in Gujarat’s marketing yards and emphasized that despite police intimidation, they would not be silenced.
The party announced a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Botad on Sunday at 5 pm to protest what they view as the government’s “anti-farmer” stance. Gadhvi declared that regardless of police presence, they would not be intimidated. He vowed to challenge Section 144 if imposed and organize similar events in marketing yards across the state, inviting Arvind Kejriwal to join the movement.
In a direct criticism of Gujarat’s DGP, Gadhvi alleged political favoritism within the police force and reminded police personnel of their rural backgrounds, urging them not to contribute to the government’s suppression. Gadhvi accused the ruling BJP of arrogance and corruption, stating that while farmers suffered, the government celebrated “Vikas Week.”
Gadhvi pledged that AAP would persist in advocating for the rights of Gujarat’s 5.4 million farmers, asserting that their anger would drive the BJP out of villages. The upcoming Kisan Mahapanchayat in Botad is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in AAP’s efforts to establish itself as a significant player in Gujarat’s political arena.