Hardik Patel Detained In Surat For Trying To Hold Protest March

Mangalore Today News Network

Surat, Sep 19, 2015:  Hardik Patel, who has been leading an agitation to press for a quota for Gujarat’s Patel community, has been detained in Surat as he tried to take out a protest march this morning. Fifty of his supporters have also been detained by the police.

Yesterday, the Gujarat government had denied permission for Mr Patel’s ’Ekta Yatra’ plan citing law and order problem. But the 22-year-old leader of the stir remained adamant saying he would go ahead with the march "at any cost".

"Our rally will be held tomorrow (on Saturday). But we will avoid to go in such villages where we may face protest of the OBC community villagers," he told reporters on Friday before leaving for Surat.
"We will request the people of Gujarat to support our cause. We are not against any community. We are just fighting to get reservation for our community," he added.

Since early morning today, tight security was in place at the Mangadh Chowk in Surat where Mr Patel and his supporters had planned to gather.

In the past two weeks, Mr Patel had announced to take out the "reverse Dandi March" twice, but cancelled the plan after the district administration denied permission.

 

Courtesy: NDTV