VHP Attack Amdavadis Book Readers Over Malala, Anne Frank Book At Vastrapur Garden, 3 Arrested
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
An engineer and other book readers who had gathered at a Vastrapur garden for a book-reading session were assaulted by a group of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) members on Thursday evening after some members objected to them reading a book by Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, police said.
The alleged assault took place around 6 pm at the AUDA Garden opposite Casa Vyom Apartment in Vastrapur. Police have arrested three people and identified six others in connection with the case.
Three Arrested, Six More Identified
Vastrapur Police Inspector G M Chaudhari said three people had been arrested.
“Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case, while six more have been identified. Our teams are trying to trace them and they will be arrested soon,” Chaudhari said.
Police are also examining the role of other people who were present at the spot when the alleged assault took place.
Group Had Gathered For Book-Reading Session
The complainant, Jay Thakkar, 30, an engineer, told police that he and around 50 others had gathered at the garden after organising a book-reading activity through social media.
He and other participants had arrived at around 4 pm. The group was preparing to leave around 6 pm when the alleged confrontation began.
According to the complaint, around 50 VHP members wearing saffron scarves gathered at the garden. Some allegedly carried wooden sticks.
VHP Members Allegedly Questioned Readers
Thakkar told police that one of the alleged leaders, identified as Hiren Rabari in the complaint, questioned him about reading a book by Malala Yousafzai.
The situation allegedly escalated, with members of the group attacking Thakkar and others accompanying him with wooden sticks.
The complaint names Sneh Bhavsar, Savan Zalariya and Shashi Kumar among those allegedly assaulted. Several people reportedly suffered injuries during the confrontation.
Swati Goswami, one of the coordinators, allegedly suffered minor injuries after some members of the group pulled her hair, while Maitreyi Chhaya was allegedly beaten with a stick.
Aadhya Chhatrola was also named in the complaint in connection with the confrontation.
Readers Allegedly Threatened Over Future Events
The complainant further alleged that members of the group threatened the readers with serious consequences if they continued organising similar book-reading sessions.
Following the alleged assault, someone from the group contacted the police control room. A police vehicle reached the garden, after which the injured participants were taken away.
Thakkar, along with Bhavsar and Zalariya, later went to Sola Civil Hospital for outpatient treatment before approaching Vastrapur police.
Case Registered Against Named Accused
The complaint names Hiren Rabari and Jimeet Rabari, along with other members of the group. Their complete addresses were not available in the complaint.
The police record refers to groups of around 50 to 100 people being present at the location. Investigators are now working to establish the identities and individual roles of those allegedly involved.
Vastrapur police have registered a case and are examining CCTV footage from the garden and surrounding areas. Statements of the injured persons and witnesses are also being recorded.
The investigation is underway.
