Controversy at Lakshmi Vilas Palace Garba: 8-Year-Old American Girl Injured by Security, Complaint Filed with U.S. Embassy

A controversy has arisen in Vadodara after security personnel forcibly removed an 8-year-old American citizen, dancing with her parents at the Garba event at Lakshmi Vilas Palace (LVP). In the incident, the girl sustained injuries due to the rough handling by security, requiring treatment at Sayaji Hospital. 

Following this event, the girl’s father lodged a complaint with the American Embassy, as the Ravpura police took no action. The emotional father stated that his daughter is now so traumatized that she is unwilling to participate in Garba celebrations. He has called for the Garba events at LVP to be permanently shut down.

Family’s Visit to LVP Garba Event on October 7

According to information received regarding the incident, Alpeshbhai (name changed), a resident of Vasna Bhayli Road in the city, along with his wife, Aartiben (name changed), and their 8-year-old daughter Aastha (name changed), who is an American citizen, attended the Garba event at Lakshmi Vilas Palace (LVP) on October 7. After conducting security checks at three different locations, the Garba organizers allowed them entry into the Garba venue.

Security Guards Exhibit Aggressive Behavior

Meanwhile, late at night, while Aastha was dancing at the Garba with her parents, security guards arrived at the venue to remove her. They attempted to pull her out without informing her parents, grabbing the girl’s hand. 

As she tried to free herself, the security guards forcefully restrained her, resulting in bruises on her right arm. The girl began to cry due to the injury, prompting her parents, who were present at the ground, to react angrily towards the security guards. However, the security guards continued to display rude behavior towards them as well.

Garba Organizers Suppress Our Concerns

In the meantime, Alpeshbhai, the father of the injured girl, contacted the Garba organizers to file a complaint about the incident. However, the organizers dismissed his concerns and threatened him, stating that they would take any necessary actions against him. 

Following this, Alpeshbhai reported the incident involving his daughter to the police control room by dialing 100, leading to the arrival of a PCR van. He lodged a complaint regarding the behavior of the security personnel. However, instead of taking action against the security guards, the police failed to provide justice to Alpeshbhai Shah and treated him disrespectfully.

Police Take No Action on the Incident

After receiving no cooperation regarding the behavior towards his daughter, Alpeshbhai ultimately took her to Sayaji Hospital for treatment. Following her care, he filed a complaint at the Ravpura police station regarding the conduct of the security personnel towards both his daughter and himself at the Garba ground. 

However, the Ravpura police did not take any action on this complaint, leading him to eventually file a complaint with the U.S. Embassy.

I Had to File a Complaint with the U.S. Embassy

Alpeshbhai stated that he, along with his wife and their 8-year-old NRI daughter, went to the LVP Garba ground to participate in the festivities. 

However, when the security guards at LVP forcibly pulled his daughter out of the Garba venue, she became terrified and started to cry. 

Deeply emotional about the treatment his daughter received, Alpeshbhai further mentioned that despite filing a complaint at the Ravpura police station, no action was taken by the police. Consequently, he felt compelled to file a complaint with the U.S. Embassy.

My Daughter is Traumatized

Expressing his deep anger, he stated that due to the behavior directed at his daughter at the LVP Garba ground and the injuries she sustained, she is now unwilling to participate in Garba celebrations. 

His daughter is so traumatized that she becomes frightened even at the mention of Garba. She has made it clear that she will never attend Garba events again.

LVP’s Garba Should Be Permanently Closed

Alpeshbhai stated that while the organizers of LVP talk about women’s empowerment, their security personnel are displaying rude behavior towards innocent girls. 

Instead of taking strict action against the security guards, the Garba organizers are issuing threats. He expressed his demand that the Garba events at LVP should be permanently shut down.

Investigation Underway Regarding the Behavior of Security Guards

In response to the incident, Jayantbhai Bokare, a member of LVP, stated that children are not allowed to participate in Garba at LVP as part of their security measures. 

He confirmed that an investigation is being conducted regarding the behavior of the security personnel towards the 8-year-old girl. The truth will come to light.

Children Under 12 Not Allowed to Participate in Garba

Regarding the incident, PI B.R. Gode from the Ravpura police station stated that four security guards have been questioned about their behavior towards the girl dancing at the LVP Garba ground. 

He explained that children under the age of 12 are prohibited from participating in Garba for security reasons. However, due to the behavior of the security personnel towards the girl, which caused her to become frightened, her father is seeking justice. An investigation is currently ongoing.