Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani fainted on stage while he was addressing a public gathering at the Nizampura region of Vadodara on Sunday. After the incident, the 64-year-old Gujarat CM was flown to Ahmedabad for treatment. On Monday morning, Dr. RK Patel, director of UN Mehta Hospital, Ahemedabadl issued a statement saying “CM Vijay Rupani is in stable condition and will be under observation for 24 hours. All tests have been done but it is advised that he should take rest so that we will keep him under observation.”

Video of Gujarat CM Rupani fainting on Vadodara stage: 

Earlier, the Gujarat CM fainted on a stage in Vadodara when he was addressing a rally. Rupani’s security detail caught hold of him as he was about to fell hard on the stage. Soon, Former Vadodara mayor Dr Jigisha Seth rushed to the minister’s aid and a medical team flew him to UN Mehta Hospital from the Vadodara airport.

According to Vadodara BJP General Secretary Sunil Solanki, Rupani had been visibly tired but did not complain of any uneasiness. BJP leader Bharat Danger also spoke to news reporters where he said “Mr Rupani’s health was not proper for the last two days, but instead of cancelling his public meetings held in Jamnagar on Saturday and in Vadodara on Sunday, he preferred to go ahead.”

Later on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi registered his concern for his fellow State CM Rupani and called him up to inquire about his health. The PM also advised him to take the required rest in the time to come and undergo a complete medical check-up to get a better assessment of his health.

The Vadodara public gathering was Rupani’s third and final rally venue. Prior to Vadodra, Rupani addressed rallies in Tarsali and Sangam. The Gujarat BJP media convener Yogesh Dave said that Mr. Rupani had been addressing multiple election meetings one after another. Due to the tiredness and exhaustion, Rupani’s blood pressure had gone down leading to his fainting.

‘State government considering a law against love jihad’: CM Rupani

Ahead of the upcoming civic polls, Rupani initiated his campaign from Tarsali, Ward 17 and covered the adjoining wards in the region. In the Vadodara address, Rupani hinted that the Gujarat State Government is considering creating a law that will help curb cases of forced inter-religious marriages that involve conversions. Rupani in his address said that the Gujarat state cabinet will pass a law against love jihad. He went on to say that people who indulge in forceful conversion and coercion in the name of love and marriage will not be allowed to escape.

Rupani in his address said, “There has been the demand for the law and the state government is examining its need and importance. It is significant that Gujarat is the next state after Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, where such a law is under discussion.”

Although, it should be noted that Gujarat already has such a law in its framework by the name ‘Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2003’.

The law prohibits religious conversion for marriage. Rupani’s mention of a law against ‘love-jihad’ comes when Vadodara witnessed a case of interfaith marriage recently. In December 2020, a Hindu girl married a Muslim man and later had a “nikahnama” with the Muslim man.

The couple had allegedly eloped and later sought help from the Karelibaug police station when communities from both religions protested against their decision. The Police had counselled the couple to “let things cool down” and sent them home.

Later, several BJP leaders, including MP Ranjan Bhatt, MLA Seema, met the 23-year-old woman to “counsel” her about the cons in marrying a Muslim man who’s also 23. Meanwhile, Shailesh Mehta, party MLA wrote a letter to Rupani to enforce a “love jihad” in the state just like it has been enforced in Uttar Pradesh. In his letter, Mehta cited a rising number of cases of “Hindu women lured by the particular minority community.”

 

Also read: After UP, MP also approves anti-conversion bill – “Freedom To Religion Bill 2020”

Also read: First case registered in Madhya Pradesh under new anti ‘love-jihad’ law