Farmers in Gujarat booked for burning effigies of PM, Amit Shah on Modi’s birthday

On September 18, Morbi Police registered an FIR against 21 individuals and unnamed others, alleging unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy. The charges stem from an incident on September 17, the day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, where effigies of Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were set on fire in Jetpar village, Morbi district.

The agitation in Jetpar has been ongoing for months, led by farmers protesting the installation of high-tension electricity transmission lines by Halvad Transmission Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. Inspector Nilesh S Ghetiya of Morbi Taluka police station filed the complaint after witnessing the video of the effigy burning during his patrolling duties.

The FIR accuses the accused of setting up an illegal dome obstructing transportation, entering into a criminal conspiracy, and violating notifications from the administration. The protesters, primarily Patidar farmers, had been on a hunger strike since June 17, demanding higher compensation for their land, which they feared would become unusable due to the transmission towers.

Despite the government agreeing to some demands on July 3, the farmers persisted with their "satyagraha". Among the accused is Nehul Dhirajlal Amrutiya, a prominent leader of the agitation who had to be hospitalized due to his deteriorated health from the protest fast.