Hundreds attend event hosted by former BJP minister in Tapi

Surat: As the state government grapples to contain the second wave of Covid-19 and four main cities put under night curfew, thousands of people gathered at an engagement ceremony of former BJP minister Kanti Gamit’s granddaughter in his native village near Songadh town in Tapi district on Monday night.
This also comes at a time when Gujarat government has capped number of guests at weddings and other ceremonies at 100.
A video of the event where hundreds of people are seen swaying to DJ music went viral on social media on Tuesday. According to witnesses, there were over 5,000 people at the ceremony. Sources said that Gamit, former MLA from Nizar Assembly seat, was called for questioning at Songadh police station on Tuesday evening. However, no official complaint was filed for Covid-19 norms violation thill Tuesday evening.
Gamit, who is also, director of Surat District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (Sumul Dairy) on Tuesday apologised for the mass gathering.
“Every year, we organise ‘tulsi vivah’ in our village. On Monday, along with ‘tulsi vivah’ with organised engagement ceremony for my granddaughter. We did not send out invitations but we had put up a message on Whatsapp and people turned up in large numbers,” Gamit told media persons at Songadh on Tuesday.
The BJP leader said that he had organised dinner for around 2000 guests. “We did not expect that so many people would turn up. The dance programme was followed by dinner. I apologise for the mass gathering,” Gamit said.
When asked if they the guests were provided face masks and sanitisers as per Covid-19 norms, the BJP leader said that they did not provide masks or sanitisers to guests.
According to Tapi district health officials, four new Covid-19 cases were reported from the district on Monday. Out of the four new cases, two were reported from Songadh and two from Vyara taluka. Total of 22 patients are under treatment for coronavirus in the district.