firecrackers, often used by farmers in field. Italia said in the video, "This is for the explosion as it doesn’t come under the guidelines of the Supreme Court or any other laws". Indian Express reported that it was likely a reference to Supreme Court ban on bursting of firecrackers. The video of the incident became viral. Later Italia said, "Some farmers have invented this (‘PVC pistol’) for scaring away animals which destroy their crops. Apart from attacking the BJP I also used the video to send out a message to protect our environment. I believe that it is not as dangerous as other firecrackers. We all should protect our environment." In January 2019, Gopal was arrested under the Arms Act for shooting a plastic gun. Aam Aadmi Party In June 2020, Italia joined Gujarat state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the State Vice President. He was appointed the State President on 12 December 2020. In June 2021, AAP Gujarat planned an outreach programme of a statewide tour to connect with families of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outreach was started with a visit to the Somnath temple. Italia stated that AAP had shared with the local police, information about a plan by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to disrupt the AAP programme by attacking the participants and creating ruckus outside the temple. When Italia and his party workers were exiting the temple, they were surrounded by some people who made allegations on Italia about a five year old video. Italia said that the AAP members were mobbed and attacked, later their car was chased. AAP Gujarat said that the incident was orchestrated by BJP. Italia reached Prabhas Patan police station in Gir Somnath to lodge a formal complaint. Italia said that the police threatened him with filing a police case against him. Italia said about the video, "BJP in the past have been making attacks against Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Italia, Isudan Gadhvi through morphed or edited videos. If there has been such a video in the past then why no questions were raised back then? This is a conspiracy by the BJP to instigate the people against us. If someone’s religious feeling has been hurt due to my comments in the past, then I apologise to them." In July 2021, Italia's family was threatened by four men. In August 2021, Italia visited a temple in Unjha