A confrontation occurred between Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers of a groundnut procurement centre located in Mandavad, Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district in Gujarat. Afterwards, a case of casteist abuses, assault and harassment of a worker’s wife was lodged against three individuals, including Haresh Savaliya, the district president of the AAP.
On 28th December (Sunday), AAP MLA Gopal Italia, alongside party members, arrived at the police station in response to a directive requiring Haresh and other culprits to present themselves before the authorities. However, a heated exchange took place between a female police officer and Italia. The party supporters also created chaos leading to conflict.
The official requested them to communicate in a calm and respectful manner, but Italia grew furious and agitated, dropping at her feet as his party members encouraged him. She conveyed her protest over the antics and departed from the scene. The video of the incident gained popularity on social media, in which Italia can be heard repeatedly contending that a “false complaint has been lodged” and insisting on evidence from the police.
વિસાવદરના MLA ગોપાલ ઇટાલિયા PI ના પગે કેમ લાગ્યા! ખેડૂતોની મદદ માટે પહોંચેલા MLA ગોપાલ ઇટાલિયા અને જુનાગઢ જિલ્લા પ્રમુખ હરેશભાઈ સાવલિયા સામે કાવતરારૂપ છેડતીનો ગુનો નોંધાતા અનેક સવાલો ઊભા થયા છે.@Gopal_Italia #visavadar #gujaratpolitics #farmersissue #gujaratshortnews pic.twitter.com/B98s6qHdPD
— Gujarat News 247 (@gujaratnews_247) December 29, 2025
Speaking to media, Visavadar ASP Rohit Dagar said that the procurement of groundnuts was in progress at the aforementioned centre when the AAP members arrived there. They started an argument with the workers over a minor issue, like filling groundnuts into sacks. The altercation intensified as the perpetrators assaulted a worker, shoved his wife and hurled caste-based insults. According to the police, a video of the incident has also gone viral on social media.
On the other hand, the accused were honoured with garlands by Italia, who subsequently led a procession of several party workers to the police station. After the complaint was lodged, he even led them to the police station to conduct a protest and launched an offensive against the BJP upon arriving there. He asserted that it was a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP to imprison those advocating for farmers.
Nevertheless, the police stated that actions are being taken against those who have committed offences against labourers, but Italia asserted that the law was being misapplied to file false cases of atrocities and harassment.
Junagadh Superintendent of Police (SC/ST Cell) Ravisej Singh Parmar has issued notices to the accused under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), asking them to appear for questioning. The complaint includes charges under sections 75(2), 115(2), 296(B), 351(33), and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as section 3(1)(R)(S) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The police have registered the FIR against three people, including Haresh Savaliya, and are conducting further investigations.