May 1st holds significance in Indian history with events such as the 7th National Film Award, the birth of Bollywood actor Balraj Sahani, the split of Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat, and the death of Indian economist Ashok Mitra. Internationally, notable events include the birth of British star Joanna Lumley in India.
In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended 14 Pakistani nationals near the International Maritime Boundary Line off the Gujarat coast. The operation was based on intelligence inputs, and approximately 90 Kg of drugs was seized. Further details are expected to be released in the coming days.
Gujarat will witness polling for 25 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase of the 2024 elections. The ruling BJP, which won all 26 seats in 2014 and 2019, has replaced 14 sitting MPs and fielded two Union Ministers, Mansukh Mandavia and Parshottam Rupala. The Congress has formed an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which will contest in two seats. Amidst the election campaigns, widespread protests by the Kshatriya community over the controversial remarks by Union Minister Parshottam Rupala have emerged as a key issue, threatening to impact the BJP’s electoral prospects.
A driver with the Amdavad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) is being sought by police after CCTV footage emerged showing a bus fatally striking a two-wheeler rider before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred on April 19 at a busy intersection in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 781 Bengal Monitor Lizard Hemipenes and 19.6 kilograms of soft corals in Mumbai, which were allegedly brought from Gujarat for sale in Maharashtra. A trafficker detained in Nashik disclosed that he had obtained the consignment from associates in Gujarat. The DRI handed over the seized articles to Maharashtra State Forest officials for further action. The probe focuses on apprehending accomplices involved in the trafficking and hunting of these protected species.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully persuaded independent candidates in Surat, Gujarat, to withdraw their nominations for the Lok Sabha election, paving the way for the party’s Mukeshkumar Dalal to become the first unopposed Lok Sabha candidate in 12 years. This move has ignited a debate about political ethics, with some accusing the BJP of stooping to a new low. However, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde defended the party’s actions, stating that it is legal and appropriate to request independent candidates to withdraw. He also criticized the Congress for making inappropriate remarks about the Constitution, which he believes has contributed to the decline in political discourse.
A Gujarat-based doctor has sparked a debate on social media after sharing that he refused to treat a pregnant patient in her thirties who declined to undergo crucial tests. The gynaecologist, Dr Rajesh Parikh, explained that doctors have the “right to refuse treatment” if patients attempt to “dictate” or “manage” the treatment. He advised other doctors to say a blunt “no” if they feel that a patient is trying to control the treatment process. According to Dr Parikh, the patient in question ignored medical advice and refused an NT scan and double marker test, which are crucial for ruling out common chromosomal defects. Despite attempts to reason with her, she remained adamant, prompting Dr Parikh to ask her to seek a doctor who would indulge her misconceptions. He emphasized that doctors should not allow patients to dictate the treatment, as they would be the ones facing the consequences in court.
On Earth Day, Gujarat’s first licensed female skydiver, Shweta Parmar, made a daring solo descent from 13,000 feet in Thailand. Unfurling an ‘End Plastic’ flag, she raised awareness for plastic pollution and promoted a cleaner planet.
The two accused in the shooting at Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence have confessed to being ordered to fire 10 rounds of bullets and having discarded the guns in the Tapi River in Gujarat. The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuing its investigation, recording statements from multiple individuals and searching for the discarded weapons.
