Vaghela launches 52-hr fast against prohibition 'relaxation'

Ahmedabad, Jan 30 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and Union Textile Minister Shankersinh Vaghela today began his 52-hour fast at the Kochrab ashram here to protest against the Narendra Modi government's decision to 'relax' the prohibition law in the Special Economic Zones of the state.

He said the agitation was being carried out to ''mobilise public opinion against the government's decision'', Mr Vaghela told reporters here. Apart from the state Congress, several Gandhian organisations like the Gujarat Lok Samiti, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and hosts of NGOs including SEWA, AWAG and Janpath, are also taking part in the campaign.

Charging the government with 'murdering' the ideals held highly by Mahatma Gandhi, he said today being Gandhiji's 59th death anniversary was the apt occasion to begin this agitation. His 52-hour long fast was a ''symbolic counter'' to Mr Modi's ''51-hour five star fast'' on the Narmada issue last year, he added.

''If Gujarat is already the number one state in the country, as claimed by the Modi government, then what was the need to lift the prohibition now,'' he asked and accused the government of playing into the hands of few industrialists. He said he has solicited the support of religious leaders like Morari Bapu and Asaram Bapu, and several Swaminarayan and Jain organisations to oppose the government's stand.

Mr Vaghela, alongwith several Gandhians and Congress workers, tribals, women and children took out a silent march from the Kochrab Ashram to the Sabarmati Ashram.

Also speaking on the occasion, Mr Chunibhai Vaidya termed the government's move as an ''autocratic'' step and said the government should have sought public opinion first. ''Lifting prohibition would destroy the social fabric of the society and affect the women and children most. ''What kind of investment is the government looking for. Should we just look for money at the cost of people's security?'' he asked.

He said Gujarat has made definite progress despite prohibition and hence there was no need to lift it.

SEWA chairperson Elaben Bhatt, who was also present, said the government's decision could be a step against the interests of women and children.

Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Arjun Modhvadia simultaneously started a 24-hour fast in Porbandar.

A signature campaign was also launched across the state against the prohibition policy of the State Government.

Hundreds of Congress workers thronged the Kochrab Ashram since morning where the campaign was launched. Several children came dressed as freedom movement leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru and the like. The atmosphere seemed festive as tribals performed dances and sang songs.

The Kochrab Ashram was established by the Mahatma first, and the Sabarmati Ashram came up two years later.

UNI