Surat, A tense atmosphere was observed in Surat again. Police detained Patidars leader Hardik Patel and at least 50 of his supporters when they attempted to launch an ‘Ekta Rally’ here on Saturday morning.
The rally, which the police claimed as ‘unauthorised’, was to press for the caste-based reservations for the Patel community spearheaded by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).
PAAS convenor Hardik Patel, 22, and at least 50 others were detained at Mangad Chowk and whisked off in waiting police vans to the police headquarters. Shortly after the detention, Hardik Patel said police were harassing them as they wanted to take out a peaceful rally, and accused the Gujarat government of “harassing everybody”.
“The Gujarat government is provoking violence though ours is a peaceful agitation. We request the people of the state for support. We are not against any community, but just fighting to get reservations for our community,” Patel said. Gujarat went into a state of high alert following the PAAS officials’ detentions.
