Political tensions have heightened following the circulation of a video showing a BJP leaders celebrated birthday inside a police station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.The video, which quickly went viral on social media, depicts DCP Kanan Desai participating in what appears to be a birthday event for BJP leader Himanshu Chauhan, accompanied by police personnel within the precincts of the police station.Congress leaders seized upon the video, using it to criticise the ruling BJP. They questioned the appropriateness of conducting political activities within law enforcement institutions, with remarks like, Is the police station now an extension of the BJPs officeGujarat Police organized a birthday party for local BJP leader Himanshu Chauhan inside the police station in Ahmedabad.Let that sink in.This is a local BJP leader who hasnt even won a municipality election yet, but can make the police dance to his tune. Deputy Commissioner… pic.twitter.com/obnp3XbSZP— Achal Shah (@achalshah06) June 28, 2024Responding to the controversy, the police defended the event, stating, It was a blood donation drive aimed at promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, not a birthday celebration.In the footage, DCP Kanan Desai from Zone-4 in Ahmedabad, alongside BJP leader Himanshu Chauhan and folk artist Yogesh Gadvi, is seen inside a police chamber. The video captures moments of singing Happy Birthday and cutting a cake.Despite the polices explanation, several Congress leaders continued to express dismay over the incident. Amit Chavda, Congress leader in the Assembly, condemned the perceived misuse of police stations, posting, Police officers behaving like BJP office staff, turning police stations into Kamalam. This focus on PR over public safety is a betrayal of trust. Are police stations paid for by taxpayers meant for law enforcement or as party venues for BJPFormer Congress president Jagdish Thakor also weighed in, accusing the BJP government of orchestrating preferential treatment for its members. He shared a video alleging, The BJP government in Gujarat is hosting birthday celebrations for its workers in police stations. This event at Daryapur Police Station in Ahmedabad, in the presence of the DCP, raises serious questions. Did this happen with the Home Minister of Gujarats approvalAmid the backlash, Ahmedabad Police released a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the viral video. They clarified, On the 23rd, a blood donation drive promoting communal harmony was organized at Daryapur Police Station ahead of the Rath Yatra. Afterward, officers and community leaders gathered. Three cakes were brought by a local woman to mark the occasion, and birthday wishes were extended informally to Himanshubhai. The gathering was not a planned birthday celebration or politically motivated.The incident underscores ongoing political sensitivities in Gujarat, with both BJP and Congress stakeholders using the event to underscore their respective narratives on public service and political conduct within public institutions.
