In the Assembly, Gujarat's Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, announced that the government led by Bhupendra Patel has removed 108 mazars as part of a campaign against encroachments believed to be part of a conspiracy.

Sanghavi further underscored the government's commitment to protecting temples from potential harm.

Referring to a previous statement made by a BJP MLA from Ellisbridge, Sanghavi commented, "Today, the point mentioned by Amitbhai... He stated that a derasar was removed in Jamalpur. Now, Dada's (Bhupendra Patel) administration is actively surveying every corner of the state to prevent any temples or devasthan from being removed under suspicious circumstances. The trajectory of the bulldozer's operations remains uncertain."

Sanghavi addressed the Assembly, seeking approval for the budget allocation of the home department. He raised concerns about the sudden appearance of multiple mazars within the Uparkot Fort premises in Junagadh, which had undergone recent redevelopment.

Sanghavi questioned the sudden construction of multiple mazars in Uparkot, expressing uncertainty about their origin and timing. He further stated, "In total, 108 mazars have been demolished across the state, reclaiming state properties. Encroachments around Somnath have also been cleared. Bhupendra Patel's administration has demonstrated the ability of its operations to navigate through narrow 20-ft streets and wide 80-m roads."

The minister addressed criticism regarding the extension of Navratri celebrations into late hours. He expressed regret over objections to late-night garba performances, citing a recent PIL filed in the high court, and defended the cultural traditions integral to the state's identity.

"Navratri was permitted to be celebrated throughout the night to enable the people of Gujarat to worship the goddess and engage in raas performances. In response to concerns from the Supreme Court and Gujarat High Court, efforts were made to reduce the volume of music," the minister stated.

The minister highlighted that extending Navratri celebrations into late hours facilitated Diwali festivities in numerous households. He suggested that to gauge the impact, inquiries should be directed towards the poor, vendors, and operators of small restaurants.

Referring to a previous statement questioning restrictions on garba performances, he mentioned a subsequent PIL filed in the High Court by a political party. He lamented the opposition to late-night garba sessions and emphasized the right of people to engage in such cultural practices.

While seeking approval for the budgetary allocation for the Home Department, Sanghavi asserted that Gujarat, under BJP rule, stands as the "safest" state. He challenged the opposition's criticism based on NCRB crime data, inviting them to observe the freedom of movement, a testament to Gujarat's safety.

Addressing concerns about cyber crimes, he highlighted the severity of the issue and its impact on victims, often leading to tragic outcomes. Sanghavi outlined plans under the 'TRISHUL' project to establish a new call centre and appoint operators to ensure prompt assistance for cybercrime victims, emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing this growing threat.

Image source: Outlook India