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Gopal Italia

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Gopal Italia
Joint General Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 January 2023
President of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat
In office
12 December 2020 – 4 January 2023
Personal details
Born (1989-07-21) 21 July 1989 (age 35)
Botad, Gujarat, India
CitizenshipIndia
Political partyAam Aadmi Party
Alma materGujarat University
OccupationSocial activist, politician
Known forKayda Katha[1]
Patidar reservation agitation

Gopal Italia (born 21 July 1989) is an Indian politician and a social activist. He was ex-police official and a leader of the Patidar reservation agitation. From December 2020 to January 2023, he was the Convener (State president) of Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat.[2][3][4][5][6]

Italia became known in January 2017, when serving as a government employee, he called up Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and complained to him about the open violation of the alcohol prohibition policy in Gujarat and alleged collusion of public servants. The video of the conversation became viral on social media. In March 2017, Italia was in the news for hurling a shoe at Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja and shouting 'down with corruption'.[7][8]

Between 2018 and 2020 Italia was associated with the social organization Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). In 2018, he organized public meetings named Kayda Katha to raise awareness about Constitution law and in June 2020, Italia joined AAP as the State Vice President of Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat. He was appointed the State President of the party on 12 December 2020. In November 2018, in a live video on Facebook, Italia fired shots into the air demonstrating a plastic gun for use by farmers to scare away animals who damage crops. The video of the incident became viral.

88,000 aspirants had appeared in the written examination, for recruitment of 186 head clerks, held on 12 December 2021. After paper leak the exam was cancelled. Italia along with 500 AAP members protested outside the BJP office for removal of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Asit Vora from the post of chairman of Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) that conducted the examination. Italia and others spent 10 days in prison before getting bail in the case filed by BJP leader for the protest.[9]

Under Italia's tenure as president, AAP Gujarat debuted in the February 2021 Gujarat local body elections. AAP won 27 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation and one in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. In 2022 he was re-appointed as the president of AAP Gujarat, to prepare the party for the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election. In this election party grabbed 12.92% vote with 5 seat.[10]

Early life

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Gopal was born on 21 July 1989 in Botad in Gujarat, India. He completed his primary studies at Timbi village in Umrala Taluka of Bhavnagar district and his secondary studies at Dhola village. He graduated from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad with a degree in Political Science.[2]

Career

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From January 2013, Italia worked as a constable in Madhupura Police Station in Ahmedabad Police, then in 2014 as a Revenue Clerk posted at the office of Dhandhuka taluka Sub-Divisional Magistrate under Ahmedabad Collectorate.[8] He campaigns for the rights of unemployed youth as well as the rights of citizens.[11][4]

Social activism

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Italia was a social activist and took part in the Patidar reservation agitation as member of the Botad Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti and organization of the village of Lathidad in his early days. He credits these organizations for grooming him to be a consistent leader. Later he was associated with Gujarat and District Patidar Andolan Samiti.[5] He was close to Hardik Patel during the Patidar reservation agitation 2015.[12][13][14] He visited many villages to solve the legal problems of the citizens and made them aware of the Indian constitution and the law.[15]

He phoned Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel over the enforcement of the laws banning on alcohol, an audio clip of which went viral on social media. The one minute long clip caused a massive embarrassment in the state government, because he claimed to be a constable and alleged that senior officers were preventing lower cadre officers from enforcing prohibition laws. He was charged under Section 120 of the Indian Penal Code in the incident.[16]

In 2017, he threw a shoe at State Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja and shouted 'down with corruption', in the midst of a difficult time in government duty and an outcry against government policies.[17] He was suspended from his government job after the incident for violating the service rules.[18] In 2017, he resigned from his government job.[5]

Italia became publicly active after the incident. He became a vocal critic of the ruling BJP.[19] Between 2018 and 2020 Italia was associated with the social organization Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).[2] In 2018, he organized public meetings named Kayda Katha to raise awareness about Constitution law. Speeches of experts on subjects like Indian Constitution, police, court, education, law related to election, Motor Vehicle Act, agriculture, land etc were part of the meeting.[20]

In November 2018, in a live video on Facebook, Italia fired shots into the air with a plastic gun to demonstrate the new contraption made by farmers. The gun was for use by farmers as there was court ban on bursting of firecrackers, often used by farmers in field. Italia said in the video, "This is for the explosion as it doesn’t come under the guidelines of the Supreme Court or any other laws". Indian Express reported that it was likely a reference to Supreme Court ban on bursting of firecrackers. The video of the incident became viral. Later Italia said, "Some farmers have invented this (‘PVC pistol’) for scaring away animals which destroy their crops. Apart from attacking the BJP I also used the video to send out a message to protect our environment. I believe that it is not as dangerous as other firecrackers. We all should protect our environment." In January 2019, Gopal was arrested under the Arms Act for shooting a plastic gun.[7][21]

Aam Aadmi Party

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In June 2020, Italia joined Gujarat state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the State Vice President.[22][2][23] He was appointed the State President on 12 December 2020.[8][3][24]

In June 2021, AAP Gujarat planned an outreach programme of a statewide tour to connect with families of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outreach was started with a visit to the Somnath temple. Italia stated that AAP had shared with the local police, information about a plan by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to disrupt the AAP programme by attacking the participants and creating ruckus outside the temple. When Italia and his party workers were exiting the temple, they were surrounded by some people who made allegations on Italia about a five year old video. Italia said that the AAP members were mobbed and attacked, later their car was chased. AAP Gujarat said that the incident was orchestrated by BJP. Italia reached Prabhas Patan police station in Gir Somnath to lodge a formal complaint. Italia said that the police threatened him with filing a police case against him. Italia said about the video, "BJP in the past have been making attacks against Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Italia, Isudan Gadhvi through morphed or edited videos. If there has been such a video in the past then why no questions were raised back then? This is a conspiracy by the BJP to instigate the people against us. If someone’s religious feeling has been hurt due to my comments in the past, then I apologise to them."[25]

In July 2021, Italia's family was threatened by four men.[26]

In August 2021, Italia visited a temple in Unjha taluka as part of the AAP's outreach programme. He was arrested by the Mehsana police in a case filed in December 2020 against him for holding a public meeting and demonstration in Mehsana without prior police permission. AAP members staged a protest outside the police station and alleged the arrest was due to political vendetta by the BJP state government. In the evening, Italia was released on bail.[27]

2021 Gujarat Municipal corporation elections

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AAP made its debut in the February 2021 Gujarat local body elections, it contested elections to six municipal corporations, namely Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar. It found major success in Surat and Rajkot. The overall vote share across the six municipal corporations was 13.28%. [28][29] Italia credited the success in the election to party's positive and honest campaigning.[19]

In October 2021, AAP contested the Gandhinagar municipal elections. It received 21.77% of the votes and won one seat.[30]

The Aam Aadmi Party gained a strong 79% majority in the sixteenth Punjab Legislative Assembly by winning 92 out of 117 seats in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. MP Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as Chief Minister on 16 March 2022.[31] Italia hailed the victory as "dream of clean politics coming true".[32][33]

Protests against recruitment exam paper leak

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The written examination for recruitment of head clerks was held on 12 December 2021 in which with 88,000 aspirants had appeared for 186 vacancies. The exam was conducted by Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB). Asit Vora, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader served as the chairman of GSSSB. AAP had alleged that before the examination, the question paper was leaked and sold at cost of Rs 8-12 lakh. Later on Gujarat government annulled the exam and announced re-examination scheduled for March 2022. Gujarat police made 18 arrests in the racket.[9]

500 supporters of AAP staged a protest outside the Shree Kamalam office of the BJP located in Gandhinagar demanding the removal of BJP leader Asit Vora from the post of chairman of the Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board. BJP workers clashed with AAP protestors and the police resorted to lathicharge. Ninety-three AAP members were arrested including 28 women. AAP president Italia, AAP women's wing and youth wing presidents were among those arrested. Italia and others spent 10 days in prison before getting bail in the case filed by BJP leader for the protest.[9]

2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election

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In June 2022, in preparation for the upcoming 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, the organization structure of AAP Gujarat was reshuffled and fresh appointments were announced. Gopal Italia was retained as the state president of AAP Gujarat.[34] Italia launched an Electricity Movement in Gujarat in the same month.[35]

In the 2022 Gujarat toxic liquor deaths 50 people died after consuming illicitly produced liquor. After the incident, alcohol and drug consumption became a major issue for the election.[36] Italia said that the prohibition on the sale of alcohol is not enforced strictly and bootlegging of liquor is rampant across the state, due to the nexus between the bootleggers and the local police under the patronage of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.[37][38][39] Italia demanded an investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the incident.[40]

In the first half of October, a video of Italia went viral in which he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 'neech' (a lowly person).[41][42] The National Commission for Women has issued a notice to Gopal Italia and summoned him to appear before commission on October 13 in Delhi. On 13 October, the Delhi Police detained Italia from the office of the National Commission for Women, and taken to the police station where he was questioned for 2.5 hours.[43]

References

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  1. ^ "Patidars to hold Kayda Katha on law & rights in Surat from December 27". Indian Express. 23 December 2018. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Gopal Italia, who hurled shoe at minister, is AAP Gujarat vice-president". The Indian Express. 5 July 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Former cop Gopal Italia who hurled shoe at BJP minister appointed AAP's Gujarat president". Deccan Herald. 12 December 2020. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b રિપોર્ટર, અસ્મિતા ન્યુઝ (23 June 2020). "યુવાનોમાં લોકપ્રિય આદોંલનકારી એવા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયા નો આમ આદમી પાર્ટીમાં જોડાવાનો તખ્તો તૈયાર". Asmita News. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Gopal Italia continues journey from shoes to bushes". allgujaratnews. 27 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Major reshuffle in AAP's Gujarat unit, Isudan Ghadvi appointed state president". The Week. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "PAAS leader Gopal Italia arrested under Arms Acts". The Indian Express. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "AAP Picks Youth Leader Gopal Italia As Gujarat Convenor, Says Party "Emerging As Strong Alternative"". NDTV. 13 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Gujarat: 65 AAP leaders held for protesting outside BJP headquarters get bail". The Indian Express. 30 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  10. ^ 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election
  11. ^ "Clerk who hurled shoes at Gujarat minister loses job". The Asian Age. 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020.
  12. ^ ANI (9 April 2019). "Hardik Patel's supporters show faith in Congress, say will not vote for BJP's shallow agenda". ANI news. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
  13. ^ "આણંદ: પાટીદાર આંદોલનના નેતા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયાની ધરપકડ". Gujarat Samachar. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Gujarat: PAAS leaders meet OBC panel chief, seek survey of Patidars". Indian Express. 30 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
  15. ^ PARIMAL DABHI (4 December 2018). "Gujarat: Gopal Italia takes katha route to enlighten people about Constitution law". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
  16. ^ List of sources
  17. ^ List of sources
  18. ^ "Shoe-thrower suspended from Dhandhuka government job". The Times of India. 5 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Positive campaigning, hard work fetched results for AAP, says Gopal Italia". The Indian Express. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Gujarat: Gopal Italia takes katha route to enlighten people about Constitution law". The Indian Express. 4 December 2018. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  21. ^ "આણંદ: પાટીદાર આંદોલનના નેતા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયાની ધરપકડ". www.gujaratsamachar.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  22. ^ AAP Gujarat (26 June 2020). "Gopal Italiya Joins AAP". Twitter. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Gopal Italia continues journey from shoes to bushes". allgujaratnews. 27 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Violation of Covid protocol: State AAP chief, 5 workers held while meeting Surat diamond traders". The Indian Express. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  25. ^ "Gujarat AAP chief Italia faces protest over 'comment against Hindu religion'". The Indian Express. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Gujarat: Four youths 'threaten' Italia's family, probe on". The Indian Express. 4 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia arrested in Mehsana over 2020 'chakka jam' case". The Indian Express. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Gujarat municipal polls: AAP bags 13.28% vote share". The Times of India. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  29. ^ "With eye on Gujarat Opposition space, AAP reaches out to youth, urban belts". The Indian Express. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  30. ^ "21% votes in Gandhinagar, 28% in Surat: AAP gaining at cost of Congress in Gujarat civic polls". 6 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  31. ^ "AAP's Bhagwant Mann sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister". The Hindu. 16 March 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Dream of clean politics comes true, says Gopal Italia". The Indian Express. 11 March 2022. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  33. ^ "People of Gujarat demand change, claims Gopal Italia". Ahmedabad Mirror. 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  34. ^ Langa, Mahesh (12 June 2022). "AAP announces new office-bearers in Gujarat". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  35. ^ "AAP का एलान, पूरे गुजरात में चलाया जाएगा 'बिजली आंदोलन', गोपाल इटालिया ने कही ये बड़ी बात". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  36. ^ "In 'dry' Gujarat, booze, drugs taking centre stage ahead of Assembly polls". The New Indian Express. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  37. ^ Langa, Mahesh (26 July 2022). "Spurious liquor claims 36 lives in dry Gujarat". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  38. ^ "Gujarat: Opposition says 'BJP failed to enforce Prohibition Act'". The Indian Express. 28 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  39. ^ "AAP Gujarat chief interview: 'Why just Hardik? We want all fighters to join us …Their prerogative where they wish to go'". The Indian Express. 14 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  40. ^ "Delhi raids: AAP demands CBI probe into hooch tragedy; Sisodia, Kejriwal to visit Gujarat". The Indian Express. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  41. ^ "Why is Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia under fire for old controversial videos?". Hindustan Times. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  42. ^ "Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia under fire for calling PM Modi 'neech', says BJP attacks him because he is a Patidar". The Indian Express. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  43. ^ "AAP Gujarat chief detained by Delhi Police over 'derogatory' language against PM Modi". The Indian Express. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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