Row over Malala’s book intensifies in Ahmedabad:Students set 72-hour protest deadline as no arrests made

The controversy over the alleged attack by Bajrang Dal workers on youths and students who had gathered a few days ago at Ahmedabad’s Bodakdev Garden to read a book by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has intensified. Following the incident, students, members of the civil rights forum, and activists came together and reiterated their demand for immediate and stringent legal action against the attackers. Alongside this, the authorities have been given a strict 72-hour ultimatum, with clear demands for a nationwide ban on the Bajrang Dal and an apology from State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi for failing to maintain law and order. Bajrang Dal workers attacked during a book-reading session in a garden
According to details of the incident, on the evening of August 27, members of the CJP organization, Congress workers, and ordinary students had gathered peacefully at a garden in Bodakdev to read Malala’s book. During the gathering, a large number of Bajrang Dal workers arrived at the location and strongly protested the book reading, assaulting those present. As the situation worsened, the police reached the site and took all parties to the Vastrapur Police Station, where they registered a case against a total of 20 people, including Bajrang Dal workers. Allegation that police did not name the main accused in the complaint
In connection with this controversy, students and social activists once again gathered today and shared their accounts. Activist Subodh Kumod made serious allegations, stating that despite having CCTV footage and video evidence of the entire incident, the police did not name the main accused, Hiren Rabari and Jimit Rabari, in the complaint. Not only that, even after the complaint was filed, none of the main accused has been arrested so far. Instead, he alleged that the police held closed-door meetings with members of the Bajrang Dal. Warning of an Intense Protest on the College Campus if No Action Is Taken Within 72 Hours
Students and activists have presented four main demands to the authorities. These include the immediate arrest within the next 72 hours of all the attackers, including the principal accused, Hiren Rabari and Jimit Rabari; a permanent ban on the Bajrang Dal; the addition of serious charges separately for the attack on the police; and a public apology from the Home Department for failing to ensure the safety of peaceful readers. It has been warned that if these demands are not accepted within the stipulated 72-hour deadline, awareness programs and intense protest demonstrations will be held in the coming days at various universities and college campuses. ​