Gujarat to grant 15‑day Diwali parole to 143 eligible prisoners

The state government of Gujarat announced that 143 prisoners who meet eligibility criteria will be granted a 15‑day parole to celebrate Diwali with their families. This annual concession, first introduced in 2003, allows inmates to observe the festival outside prison walls for a brief period. Officials said the move aims to uphold humanitarian considerations while ensuring that security protocols remain in place during the leave. The parole list was compiled by prison authorities in coordination with the Home Department, and the released inmates are expected to return before the end of the 15‑day period. The scheme reflects Gujarat's longstanding policy of providing festive relief to eligible convicts.

The parole will commence shortly before the main Diwali celebrations and will conclude before the festival concludes, ensuring that the inmates are back in custody well before the new year. Prison officials will monitor the parolees closely, and any violation of terms could result in immediate re‑incarceration. The government has not disclosed the specific crimes of the released prisoners, citing privacy and security concerns.

This year's parole grant underscores the continuity of a policy that balances cultural sensitivity with law‑and‑order imperatives, a practice that other Indian states have observed with interest.