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Hardik Patel Released After Widespread Protests By Patel Community In Gujarat
After a massive rally organised by Gujarat's economically and politically powerful Patel community demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutes, police cracked down on the agitators and detained 21-year-old Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patel Andolan Anamat Samiti (PAAS), the group spearheading the movement.
Paramilitary forces like State Reserve Police Force, BSF and Rapid Action Force have been deployed in cities like Ahmedabad and Mehsana.
As tension mounted in her state, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel took to Twitter to address the people of Gujarat.
My sincere appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and not to indulge in activities disrupting law & order across the state.
— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) August 25, 2015Have asked Police Commissioner to carry out thorough investigation in series of events & appropriate action will be taken against the guilty
— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) August 25, 2015On August 25, at least half a million people had gathered in Ahmedabad to demand reservations for the Patel caste - which also happens to be one of the states' wealthiest communities. Nearly 20,000 security personnel had been deployed in the city for security and crowd control.
Members of the Patel (Patidar) community carry a cut-out of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during a meeting and mega rally to press for their demands of reservation
Members of the Patel (Patidar) community carry a cut-out of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during a meeting and mega rally to press for their demands of reservation
At the rally, Hardik Patel warned the ruling BJP government that it would face consequences in the 2017 Gujarat elections if their demands were not met.
The Patels, who make up 12 percent of the population of Gujarat, claim they are struggling to compete with the less privileged castes for jobs and university places in government institutions. Therefore, they are demanding reservation.
"If you do not give our right (reservation), we will snatch it. Whoever will talk of interest of Patels will rule over Patels," Hardik said at the gathering.
After addressing the gathering, Hardik said that he along with his three aides would be sitting on a hunger strike until the Gujarat Chief Minister comes to receive their memorandum of demands.
Buses set on fire in Surat on Tuesday by people after the arrest of Hardik Patel, convener of 'Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti
