Next round of agitation from Surat today: Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel, convener of the Patidar Ananmat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), who arrived at the Ahmedabad Airport from Delhi, claimed that the agitation has gained support of several communities and rallies would be organised in other parts of country in coming days. “We have called a meeting of all our 137 leaders from across the state in the evening to chart out the plan for the second round of agitation in the state. We will start the agitation from Surat on Tuesday. We will focus more on taluka and village level this time,” he said.

The second round of agitation will attract the attention of the entire nation, he claimed. “We will make an official announcement about our upcoming programmes and rallies to be held in the state on Tuesday. This time, the entire nation will have its eyes on our programme. We will walk on the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi,” said Hardik.

During the first round of agitation, Hardik and his group had taken out rallies in different parts of the state.  Violence had spread after their mega-rally in Ahmedabad on August 25, in which 10 people were killed.

Giving details of his Delhi visit, Hardik said many organisations had extended their support to their agitation.  Hardik also showed letters of various organisations that have lent their support. These include Gujjar Vikas Parishad, Kurmi-Kshatriya Mahasabha, Anjana-Chaudhari Samaj, Rashtriya Gujjar Manch, etc.

“We are now getting support from the entire India. Gujjars, Kurmis, Chaudharis and many others are with us. Our movement will further spread in other parts. In coming days, we have planned to hold a rally at Lucknow,” he said.

He said the total population of Patels, Gujjars and Kurmis in the country is 27 crore. “We have also planned to take <g data-gr-id="45">signature</g> of all 27 <g data-gr-id="44">crore</g> of our members on an application, demanding reservation and hand it over to the Prime Minister,” he said.

Hardik also lashed out at the Gujarat police as well as the government for violence in the state, after a crackdown on Patel leaders, hours after the mega rally at GMDC ground on August 25. “No such incident took place in all 37 rallies we organised ahead of August 25. I hold police as well as this Gujarat government responsible for inciting violence. Otherwise, we always walked on the path shown by Gandhiji,” he said.