Gujarat: Youth’s birthday bash trashes prohibition, distancing rules

VADODARA: Beer being sprayed freely, multiple cakes, a large group, a sword to cut the cake and no one wearing mask– hardly looked like a birthday celebration in the state particularly in times of Covid-19.
But videos of this celebration held near Virpur in Mahisagar district went viral sparking a major row as it was alleged that members of the Gujarat State Youth Board and BJP were a part of the celebrations. The viral videos are said to be of Friday when a youth Kavan Patel was to celebrate his birthday. Friends and aides can be seen with him in the video. At least half a dozen cakes were displayed on the bonnet of a car.
After being sprayed upon with beer, Patel is seen cutting the cake with a sword amidst loud cheers.
The police registered an offence and arrested 13 persons based on the footage it had received.
Deputy superintendent of police N V Patel said that the offence registered at the Virpur police station was for violation of notification and the prohibition law.
Balashinor MLA Ajitsinh Chauhan from the opposition Congress slammed the act and said that the police was dragging its feet in taking action, but the cops denied the allegations. Chauhan even claimed that the incident had taken place around 200metres from the Virpur police station. He claimed that members of youth BJP were involved in the celebrations.
Mahisagar BJP president J P Patel said that no office bearer of the BJP was involved in the incident. He added that the youth board will take action if anyone was involved and said that the police had already swung into action.