Violence in Gujarat over quota row, Hardik Patel calls for state-wide bandh

AHMEDABAD: 22-year-old Hardik Patel, who was briefly detained over his hunger strike to demand OBC reservation for the Patel community, called for a state-wide bandh tomorrow to intensify the agitation.

He also urged his community members to maintain peace as several parts of Gujarat witnessed incidents of violence.

"I make an appeal to maintain peace and keep calm. I give a call for Gujarat bandh tomorrow.

"This decision has been taken by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti considering widespread violence in the state," Hardik, convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti which is spearheading the agitation, said tonight.

The young leader was detained earlier here today by the city police when he sat on a hunger strike without taking prior permission. He was later released by the police.

Hardik, after addressing a gathering of Patel community members, stated that he along with his three aides will continue with his hunger strike until Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel comes to receive their memorandum of demands.

As the news of detention of Hardik spread, violence broke out first in Ahmedabad and later spread to other cities like Surat, Mehsana, Rajkot and some interior areas of the state.

The Patel community of Gujarat has been agitating for around a month to fulfil their demands of reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) status.