WhatsApp Whispers Turned Violent in Ahmedabad (and Beyond)
Picture this: a calm evening in Vadaj, Ahmedabad, suddenly turns into a scene straight out of a thriller, all thanks to a viral WhatsApp note about “hundreds of kidnappers.” In the span of a few hours, five mobs have erupted across Gujarat, leaving one woman dead and dozens with bruises. The bad news? The rumours were pure rubbish.
What Went Down in Vadaj
- Shantadevi Nath, 45, and a trio of friends were heading to an autorickshaw when ≈100 strangers surrounded them.
- They questioned the women, then hauled them out of the rickshaw and started a brutal assault – punches, kicks, sticks, even hair pulling.
- The brutal mob inflicted severe injuries on Shantadevi, while the other three curses were hit only lightly.
- Despite police traffic officers being a quick “rescue squad,” Shantadevi didn’t make it past the hospital.
Other Kanjacks (Kanan-Casual) Across Gujarat
Meanwhile, the same fey rumor spread to Danimar, Rajkot, and Surat!
- Rajkot (225 km from Ahmedabad) – A family of five got caught up in a mob. They were rescued by local police, emerging with a few minor aches.
- Surat (275 km from Ahmedabad) – Two incidents: five innocent women were attacked, mistaken for kidnappers, and a 45‑year‑old woman was taken hostage along with her own daughter (she insisted she was “the mother, not the thief”). Police then realized it was just a misinformed mob.
Police Say “Stop the Madness”
The Gujarat state police launched a stern warning: “Don’t let fake swirl‑ups on social media push you to commit violent acts.” They begged the public to report false rumours straight away, else you might end up in a crowd even stranger than a supermarket line.
Takeaway: Rumours are Vicious, but the Real World Is Safer
So next time you see a urgent WhatsApp message about “kidnappers,” double‑check it. Keep your mind calm, your reports accurate, and your distance from mobs – both literal and virtual. And if you’re heading to an autorickshaw, maybe keep a friend or two on your side. Just in case.
