1 week ago
Facebook Comment Sparks Gujarat BJP Factional Clash and FIRs
Two groups connected to the BJP in a Gujarat village have been arguing for some time.
A Facebook comment about stopping liquor and gambling reportedly made the disagreement worse.
The groups then met in public and a fight broke out.
People punched and injured one another, according to videos and police complaints.
At least four people were taken to a hospital.
Each group says the other group started the fight.
One side says the trouble began at a tea stall over the Facebook comment.
The other says a vehicle was stopped and connects the dispute to a ration-shop licence being cancelled.
Police are investigating two FIRs, which are formal complaints about the same incident.
A Facebook exchange preceded a violent clash between rival BJP factions in Bhilapur village, Vadodara.
At least four people, including two local BJP leaders, were injured and taken to SSG Hospital.
The two groups filed cross-FIRs at Dabhoi police station shortly before midnight.
Paresh Patel alleged Bhavesh Patel and associates attacked him at a tea stall over the Facebook comment.
Bhavesh Patel said his vehicle was intercepted by a group and linked tensions to a cancelled ration-shop licence.
- Who
- Rival local factions associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Paresh Patel, Bhavesh Patel, Navjyotsinh Thakor and others.
- What
- A public fight led to injuries, viral videos and two cross-FIRs.
- Where
- Bhilapur village in Dabhoi taluka, Vadodara, Gujarat; the complaints were filed at Dabhoi police station.
- When
- Monday, August 24; the cross-FIRs were filed shortly before midnight.
- Why
- The immediate dispute allegedly followed a Facebook comment, while longer-running political and administrative disagreements and a ration-shop dispute also fueled tensions.
Paresh Patel’s account
Bhavesh Patel’s account
Who initiated the confrontation
Paresh Patel’s account
Paresh Patel alleged that Bhavesh Patel and associates arrived at a tea stall, argued over the Facebook comment and attacked him from behind.
Bhavesh Patel’s account
Bhavesh Patel alleged that a group of eight to ten people intercepted his vehicle, opened its doors, dragged people out and assaulted them.
What fueled the dispute
Paresh Patel’s account
Paresh Patel’s complaint centered on the argument over his critical Facebook comment about addiction, liquor and gambling.
Bhavesh Patel’s account
Bhavesh Patel linked the resentment to the cancellation of a fair-price ration shop’s licence after complaints about problems obtaining coupons.
Key facts
- Incident
- A street confrontation between rival local BJP factions in Bhilapur village.
- Injuries
- At least four people were injured and taken to Vadodara’s SSG Hospital.
- Police action
- Two cross-FIRs were filed at Dabhoi police station.
- Immediate flashpoint
- A comment on a Facebook post by Bhavesh Patel about District Health Department work.
- Other alleged grievance
- Bhavesh Patel linked resentment to the cancellation of a fair-price ration shop’s licence.
- Competing accounts
- Each complainant accused the other group of assembling, initiating the assault and causing injuries.
- Investigation
- Dabhoi police said an investigation into both FIRs was underway.
Quotes
Bhavesh Patel
Chairman of the Vadodara District Panchayat Health Committee and an injured participant in the clash
“The group opened the doors of the vehicle, dragged out those inside and assaulted them… People accompanying me tried to record the incident on their mobile phones, but the phones were snatched and they were pressured to delete the footage.”
indianexpress.com
A senior BJP leader from the district
Senior BJP leader commenting on the internal factional dispute
“The Bhilapur incident follows a similar but awkward pattern for the party. Rival groups begin sparring on social media and then eventually clash in public and bring the police into the picture.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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