Rajkot: Prominent Kshatriya community leader Pravinsinh Tapubha Jadeja, better known as P.T. Jadeja, was detained late Friday night by Rajkot police under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA), following allegations that he threatened violence over a temple event. The move has triggered sharp reactions from his supporters and intensified ongoing tensions between the Kshatriya community and the state government.
The controversy centers around an April 20 phone call, during which Jadeja allegedly threatened factory owner and temple volunteer Jasminbhai Makwana, warning him not to proceed with a planned “maha-aarti” at Rajkot’s Amarnath Mahadev Temple. The aarti, regularly attended by hundreds, was being organized by the Amarnath Youth Group, a detail that reportedly angered Jadeja, a former trustee of the temple.
According to the police complaint, Jadeja told Makwana, “If you hold the aarti, there will be bloodshed,” and used abusive language. The following day, banners promoting the event were allegedly removed, and Jadeja was accused of intimidating temple volunteers by showing up with a dog.
The incident gained traction after an audio recording of the call went viral on social media, prompting police to act. Jadeja was initially questioned but allowed to leave. However, police arrived at his Sai Nagar home with a PASA order. Upon hearing of the detention, Jadeja reportedly suffered a severe spike in blood pressure and was rushed to Giriraj Hospital. He was later taken to the Taluka police station and is now being processed for transfer to Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. Security was tightened around both his home and the police station to prevent unrest.
Jadeja’s son, Akshit Jadeja, slammed the arrest as unjust and politically motivated. He claimed his father had cooperated with authorities but was still detained without due medical examination. “If justice is denied, our community will respond,” he warned.
This is not Jadeja’s first run-in with the law. He was previously booked in a separate usury case in Rajkot’s Malviyanagar area. His latest arrest has further polarized opinions, especially among Rajkot’s influential Kshatriya community, where he holds considerable sway.
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