PATEL POWER ROCKS AHMEDABAD
The economically well-off community took part in large numbers
AHMEDABAD: In a mega show of strength to push their demand for inclusion in OBC category for reservation, the Patel community on Tuesday warned the BJP government in Gujarat that it will face consequences in 2017 Assembly polls if the plea is not accepted, saying the “lotus” will not bloom again.
The warning was sounded by 22-year-old Hardik Patel, the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti which is spearheading the agitation, at a rally here even as the stir turned violent with clashes being reported in various parts of the city where police resorted to baton-charge and lobbed teargas shells to control the situation.
After the rally, Patel said he will sit on a hunger strike at the venue till chief minister Anandiben Patel does not come to take a memorandum from them.
The numerically and economically strong Patel community of Gujarat converged here in large numbers to take part in the rally, which brought the city to a grinding halt. The ‘Maha Kranti’ rally comes after a month-long agitation by the Patel community for their quota demand. “If you do not give our right (reservation), we will snatch it,” Hardik told the gathering.
“In 1985, we had uprooted Congress from Gujarat, today there is BJP. 2017 (state election year) is coming... lotus will not bloom in the mud, it will never bloom. If you will talk about our interest then only we will nurture your lotus,” he said, warning the state government. Lotus is BJP party symbol.
The CM had cited Supreme Court guidelines and judgements for her inability to include Patels in the OBC category. Clashes between Patel community members and local residents were also reported from Vadaj, Vastrapur, Nikol and Paldi areas when they allegedly tried to enforce a bandh.
Hardik Patel. who was detained by the police on Tuesday evening, as he launched a hunger strike after the rally at the GMDC ground without permission has been released, officials said. The agitationists claimed police carried out a lathi-charge on protestors before arresting Hardik .