Surat (Gujarat) 25: A Gujarat businessman has landed in trouble after he allegedly blocked a busy public road in Surat to burst firecrackers while celebrating his son’s birthday, an incident that was captured on video and triggered widespread outrage on social media.
The man, identified as Deepak Ijardar, was seen in multiple video clips standing on the road and lighting firecrackers as vehicles honked and moved past him. The footage showed firework fountains being set off amid live traffic, with no visible safety arrangements, raising concerns over public safety and traffic disruption.
Following the circulation of the videos online, police registered a case against Ijardar for violating public order. Authorities said the act endangered road users and caused inconvenience to commuters.
Responding to criticism, Ijardar sought to downplay the incident, claiming that traffic was halted only briefly. “I am a celebrity. What serious crime did I commit if I stopped you for five minutes?” he said, defending his actions. He further argued that several events held at nearby grounds routinely cause traffic congestion for longer durations without attracting action from authorities.
Ijardar also alleged that the videos were deliberately circulated by his rivals to tarnish his image. However, officials said further action would be taken based on the investigation and applicable law.
