Clashes erupt at Botad farmers’ mahapanchayat: Stone-pelting on police, multiple arrests

Tension flared in Botad’s Hadadad village on Sunday during the farmers’ mahapanchayat, as clashes broke out between protesters and police. Visuals from the scene showed stones being hurled at police vehicles, forcing authorities to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

The mahapanchayat, called by AAP-backed farmer groups, had been organised without official permission, according to police. “People had gathered illegally. As soon as police reached the spot, stone-pelting began. Tear gas was used to bring the situation under control. Several arrests have been made, and the situation is now stable,” said the Botad superintendent of police. 

A heavy security deployment has been put in place in Botad’s Hadadad, including the SP, four DySPs, 15 inspectors, 50 sub-inspectors, and over 1,000 personnel.

Earlier in the day, AAP Gujarat president Isudan Gadhvi was detained by police at Bagodara while on his way to the Mahapanchayat. His arrest sparked heated exchanges with the police. 

Gadhvi later declared, “In 2027, when our government comes to power, the very first cabinet decision will be to overhaul Gujarat’s police system.”

The unrest comes against the backdrop of an ongoing farmers’ agitation at Botad’s APMC market yard, where cultivators have accused cotton traders of malpractice in weighing (locally called kadada). On October 10, farmers staged an overnight protest with bhajans and chants, which led to the arrest of farmer leader Raju Karapda.

For the past two days, demonstrations have intensified, culminating in Sunday’s mahapanchayat call. Despite extensive police arrangements, the situation turned volatile as farmers clashed with security forces.