Anand: The state government has allotted 237 bighas of land in Kahanwadi village to the Rajkot-based Swaminarayan Gurukul for educational purposes, sparking strong opposition from villagers. Protesting the land allotment, villagers locked the Gram Panchayat office and expressed their anger. A large gathering is planned for Thursday, where villagers will submit a petition to the Collector, warning of intensified protests if the decision is not revoked.

The controversy arose when the manager of Rajkot Swaminarayan Gurukul visited the Kahanwadi Gram Panchayat to pay the revenue for the allotted land. Upon learning about the transaction, villagers confronted the manager, who presented a circular from the Anand District Collector and the Land Survey Department confirming the allocation of approximately 237 bighas of government wasteland for educational use.

The government has valued the land at ₹37.48 crore, as stated in the circular. The manager’s visit to complete the payment process brought the matter to public attention. Upon realizing that valuable village land had been allocated, villagers gathered at the Panchayat in protest. DeshGujarat