Quota stir: Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti activist who committed suicide cremated

GANDHINAGAR: The funeral of Umesh Patel, the 34-year-old activist of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), who had committed suicide on Saturday evening in Rajkot, took place on Sunday amid heavy security arrangement.

Members of the Patidar community from various parts of Saurastra took part in the funeral procession in large number.

It may be mentioned here that Umesh Patel’s is the first case of suicide in the on going agitation demanding reservation for the Patidar community. While the activists of the community including senior Sardar Patel Group (SPG) leader Lalji Patel, Varun Patel have immediately appealed to the community youth to desist from such drastic steps, PAAS convener Hardik Patel in a strident message circulated in the social media stating that the martyrdom of Umesh would not be wasted.

"We shall not forgive this government. This is murder of our activist," Patel said in his statement.

Meanwhile, the state BJP leaders have reportedly been asked not to issue any controversial statement on the matter. Speaking to ET, a senior leader of the party on condition of anonymity said the entire exercise of announcing a package to placate the Patidar community does not seem to have impressed the community at all. "This is a bad sign and such suicides will only make things worse for both the state and the party in days to come," said the leader. In a significant development the Umia Trust in Unjha in North Gujarat had its general body meeting and it has announced its support to the community’s demand for reservation.

This development, according to observers would add momentum to the on going agitation in a big way.