Ahmedabad Witnesses Grand Namotsav on PM Modi’s 75th Birthday; Chaos Over Seating & Entry Mismanagement
Ahmedabad, September 17:Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday turned into a massive public celebration in Ahmedabad as the City BJP, Bapunagar Seva Samiti, and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) jointly organized a grand event called Namotsav. The evening was meant to be a cultural, political, and inspirational celebration of Modi’s journey, but it also highlighted the challenges of crowd control and organizational mismanagement as thousands of people thronged the venue.
A sea of people at Bapunagar
The celebrations were held at Soneriya Block in Bapunagar, where the BJP had made arrangements for 30,000 seats. However, the party distributed nearly 1 lakh passes, with each pass granting entry to two individuals. This mismatch resulted in an overwhelming crowd of people, far exceeding the capacity of the venue. The huge turnout created chaos at the gates, with people struggling to enter. Some with valid passes were even denied entry due to safety concerns, while others forced their way in, creating tense moments for security personnel.
Police struggled to maintain order as the crowd swelled. Reports from the ground indicated that despite heavy deployment, the rush remained largely uncontrolled, especially near the entry gates. Many attendees expressed disappointment, as their enthusiasm to participate in the grand celebration turned into frustration.
Corporators left without seats
Adding to the controversy, many BJP corporators and local leaders found themselves without proper seating. While senior leaders, ministers, and their family members were accommodated on sofas in the front rows, corporators were made to sit among common party workers. This led to visible dissatisfaction among the corporators, who felt sidelined at their own party’s event. Some invitees were reportedly left standing due to a complete lack of available seating.
The mismanagement gave critics an opportunity to question the party’s planning, with several attendees highlighting that while the intention to celebrate Modi’s legacy was noble, the execution fell short of expectations.
Cultural performances steal the show
Despite the chaos, the stage events themselves drew much appreciation. Renowned artist Sairam Dave and other performers showcased special acts highlighting PM Modi’s early life. One of the most striking performances depicted Modi’s childhood in Vadnagar, where he helped his father sell tea at the railway station. The act also portrayed an emotional scene of Modi serving tea to Indian soldiers who were heading to the border, reflecting his lifelong bond with the nation and its defenders.
The multimedia show at the event further traced Modi’s journey from his formative years to significant milestones such as “Operation Sindoor.” The visuals and narrative struck a chord with the massive crowd that managed to get in, showcasing Modi’s transformation from a small-town boy to one of the most influential leaders in the world.
A political and emotional gathering
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, along with ministers, MLAs, senior BJP leaders, and thousands of workers, attended the event. The program combined cultural reverence, political symbolism, and emotional storytelling to honor Modi’s leadership. Attendees described the atmosphere inside the dome as electric, with chants of “Modi, Modi” reverberating throughout the night.
However, outside the dome, the atmosphere was far from festive. Long queues, heated arguments, and police interventions marked the scene, with many frustrated citizens complaining about poor planning. The contradiction between the grandeur of the stage performances and the chaos outside left a mixed impression of the event.
