Vadodara, May 3, 2025: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel sparked controversy during an event at Deen Dayal Auditorium in Vadodara on Friday when he commented on two women from the families affected by the Harni boat tragedy who attempted to voice their grievances. Labeling their actions as driven by an “agenda,” Patel criticized their approach and advised them to meet him calmly. The incident has ignited widespread discussion in political and social circles, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat chief Isudan Gadhvi meeting the women on Saturday to address their concerns and amplify their cause.
What Happened on Friday?
On Friday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended an event organized by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) at Deen Dayal Auditorium. During his speech, two women, relatives of victims of the Harni boat tragedy, stood up to highlight their plight. They claimed they had been trying to meet the Chief Minister for one and a half years without success. However, Patel appeared displeased with their interruption and remarked, “You have come with some agenda. Don’t do this. Meet me calmly.”Following the incident, the police detained the two women. When their husbands reached the police station to secure their release, they too faced a confrontation with the police and were briefly detained. After the event concluded, the Chief Minister met with the women and listened to their concerns.
Isudan Gadhvi’s Response: Championing the Women’s CauseOn Saturday, Isudan Gadhvi, the Gujarat president of AAP and a former Chief Ministerial candidate, met the affected women to understand their grievances. Gadhvi pledged to fight for justice for the victims of the Harni boat tragedy and accused the state government of being insensitive to the plight of the victims. He criticized the government for dismissing the women’s legitimate concerns as an “agenda” and detaining them instead of addressing their issues.“These women raised their voices for justice for their families, but instead of listening, the government detained them. This reflects the sorry state of democracy in Gujarat,” Gadhvi said. He assured that AAP would take up the issue vigorously and work to ensure justice for the affected families.
Political Fallout
The incident has stirred a fresh political controversy in Gujarat. Opposition parties, particularly AAP, have seized the opportunity to intensify their attacks on the state government. Gadhvi’s meeting with the women is seen as an attempt to highlight public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the issue.On the other hand, leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have defended the Chief Minister’s stance, stating that he listened to the women’s concerns and assured them of action to resolve their issues. They argue that the opposition is politicizing the matter for electoral gains.
The events at Deen Dayal Auditorium on Friday, followed by Isudan Gadhvi’s meeting with the women on Saturday, have sparked a new debate in Gujarat’s political landscape. While the government faces allegations of neglecting the victims’ concerns, the opposition is leveraging the issue to corner the ruling party. As the controversy unfolds, all eyes will be on how this issue shapes the political narrative in the state in the days to come.
