Lakhs of members of Gujarat's Patel community gathered at the GMDC ground in Ahmedabad for a mega rally on Tuesday to demand reservation for its youth in government jobs and educational institutions.
Hardik Patel, who has become the face of the Patel campaign in Gujarat, led the rally convened by the Patidar Aarakshan Andolan Samiti, which he had formed last month.
He and other leaders have gone on a fast unto death unless Gujarat CM Anandi Patel personally receives their memorandum.
Patel has also warned none other than prime Minister Narendra Modi that unless the government fulfils their demand for an OBC quota, the Patel community 'will not let the lotus blossom in the 2017 Assembly elections', referring to the BJP's symbol.
The city of Ahmedabad was nearly shut down as paramilitary forces were called in to ensure there is no law and order problems. Protesters clashed with the police, who used tear gas and and also reportedly lathi-charged them.
UPDATES:
- Images of the Patel community protesters clashing with the police.
Patel Agitation: Clash between Police and Protesters in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/gGqpurQ36n
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- The police lathi-charged protesters during the Patel rally.
We're holding peaceful rally,still police lathi charged our workers,if situation worsens in Gujarat,Govt will be responsible fr that: Hardik
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- The Ahmedabad police are reportedly using tear gas to control the rally after clashes broke out.
- The protesters are likely to return to the GMDC grounds in Ahmedabad from the collector's office.
- Though the collector has offered to collect the memorandum from the protesters and forward it to the government, the Patidar leaders have said they will break their fast only when CM Anandi Patel takes it from them personally.
We will sit on a hunger strike until our demands are met, until CM comes and receives our memorandum: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/GnZ2YBx5oO
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- Thousands showed up for the Patidar rally on Tuesday.
Patidar rally in Ahmedabad demanding reservations under the Other Backward Caste (OBC) quota for Patels pic.twitter.com/bCMPmYfHzQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- The District Magistrate of Ahmedabad has said he they will accept the memorandum of the Patel community and give it to the government.
If they come to us with memorandum,we will accept it & officially hand it over to the Govt: Rajkumar Beniwal (DM Ahmedabad) on Hardik Patel
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- The protestors are reportedly forcing shopkeepers to pull down their shutters, according to the Times of India.
- The Patidar protesters have reportedly gathered outside the collector's office.
Rally outside collector's office in #Ahmedabad #PatelReservation #PatidarAnamatAndolan pic.twitter.com/gPFZqQmUxR
— chitra unnithan (@citraorange) August 25, 2015
- Protesters are reportedly taking the rally to the collector's office in Ahmedabad.
- The huge crowds of the Patidar community, or Patel community, gathered for the rally in Ahmedabad.
Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel addressing the huge crowd at Patel reservation rally. @abaruah64 @thehindu pic.twitter.com/M6LdBfQMjk
— Mahesh Langa (@LangaMahesh) August 25, 2015
- The Patel community has threatened to go on a hunger strike until Gujarat chief minister Anandi Patel accepts their memorandum for an OBC quota.
Till the CM doesn't come and receive our memorandum, we will sit on a hunger strike-Hardik Patel
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- "We do not belong to any political party. We belong to the Patidar community," Patel said.
- "We are not begging, we are asking for our rights," says Patel.
Humein humaara haq chaahiye, pyaar se chahiye, shaan se chahiye, iss haq ko hum bheekh nhi maante: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/QuqppA68Og
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- Hardik Patel hits out at PM Narendra Modi.
If the government doesn't fulfil our demand, we will not let the lotus blossom in 2017," he said at the rally.
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Ahmedabad:Hardik Patel addressing gathering at Maha Kranti rally by Patidar community demanding inclusion inOBC quota pic.twitter.com/qC9AbEsFmG
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2015
- School and colleges have voluntarily shut for the day ahead of the rally on Tuesday, as per reports.