Leaders of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti and the newly formed Sardar Sanman Sankalp Samiti (SSSS) were detained in Surat district’s Bardoli on Sunday before they could hold their rally demanding the renaming of Narendra Modi stadium in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.
The Motera cricket stadium, which was rechristened as Narendra Modi stadium, was earlier named after Sardar Patel. The Sardar Sanman Sankalp Samiti was recently constituted to rustle up a public movement against the renaming of the stadium.
Both the organisations had given a call for a rally from Bardoli Satyagraha ashram to launch the agitation but they were detained by the Surat Rural Police before they could start the rally.
Surat Police had denied permission for the car rally stating that it would lead to traffic congestion, creating problems for other citizens. Despite that, the SSSS and PAAS leaders decided to go ahead with their programme.
PAAS convener Alpesh Kathiriya condemned the police action and told media persons, “Everyone has the right to protest for issues in a democracy, but that was denied today.”
He asserted, “It is shameful that police force was used to muzzle people’s voices. Our only demand is to rename the Motera stadium as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium.”
Gujarat Cricket Association renamed the Motera stadium Narendra Modi Stadium on February 24 last year.
The move was opposed by a section of Patidars, especially Patidars from Karamsad, the birth place of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and later Patidars across the state joined them.
Kathiriya said the future agitational programmes would be decided by the SSSS and PAAS members will participate and extend their support to the events.
