Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Pravin Ram, Ramesh Mer, Hansraj Bhalala, Vipul Hariyani, Vipul Makwana, and Jitendra Govindia were released from jail after 108 days. They had been detained following their participation in protests against the price-cutting practice affecting farmers.
AAP Gujarat State President Isudan Gadhvi, MLA Hemant Khava, State Organization Secretary Ajit Lokhil, Saurashtra Zone In-Charge Rajubhai Borkhatariya, Youth President Brijraj Solanki, State Chief Spokesperson Dr. Karan Barot, and other party leaders and workers welcomed the released leaders.
During a press conference, Pravin Ram addressed the media, saying that the BJP had kept them in jail for 108 days to suppress the voice of farmers. He said that many other innocent farmers were also detained and that despite this, they had emerged stronger.
“We stayed in jail not broken but stronger. This is a clear message that the fight for farmers will not stop,” he said, adding that he would continue working on farmers’ issues, including the Ghed region.
Pravin Ram claimed that a conspiracy took place in Botad, where 100 people were booked, yet police did not have evidence of them committing violence. He said police focused on party positions rather than actions, suggesting that legal action was used to curb the protests. He stated that the public would respond to this in the upcoming Taluka Panchayat and District Panchayat elections. He also described incidents in Haddad village where farmers ensured that escalation was avoided, though arrests and alleged violence occurred later.
Pravin Ram welcomed the government circular banning the Kadada practice as a major victory for farmers, but emphasized that the implementation remains a challenge. He said many traders are still exploiting farmers and that enforcing the circular on the ground is necessary.
Isudan Gadhvi stated that after taking control of APMCs, the BJP introduced the price-cutting practice, which he said exploited farmers. He said that when AAP farmer leaders raised their voices, the government issued the circular banning Kadada practices. Gadhvi alleged that police acted harshly during protests in Haddad village, targeting AAP leaders and farmers, and described the actions as severe. He said the movement for farmers’ rights would continue and that agitations would be carried out on multiple issues.
Ramesh Mer addressed the media, stating that farmers were treated harshly, similar to being treated like terrorists, even though they were protesting only against the price-cutting practice. He questioned why officers did not act similarly against traders accused of exploiting farmers.
Mer also mentioned that farmers endured hardships, including lack of food, water, and medical assistance, yet remained committed to ensuring that their demands are met.