Hardik Patel, the 22-year-old leader who led the Patel community’s movement for reservation in Gujarat, arrived in Delhi on Sunday and said he won’t allow any political party to join his agitation.
“We are not here to meet any ministers. Political parties are not welcome in the agitation,” said Patel.
“We want to take our movement to every part of the nation and have come to Delhi to make future plan of action. We want the support of Jats and Gujjars.”
Patel has addressed over 100 rallies and meetings across Gujarat demanding caste reservations for the Patidar community. The Centre had rushed 5,000 paramilitary personnel to Gujarat after violence rocked the state earlier this week after Patel was briefly detained by the police. Authorities were forced to clamp curfew in several areas and close educational institutions.
Patel added that he planned to take the debate on reservation to a national platform.
“We have to take this issue all across the country. And, through cooperation of everyone, the issue of reservation has to be explained to every person, society and state. Reservation has set India 35 years behind,” Patel told PTI.
Patel said merely 5-10% of the members of his community are financially well-off and hence, the community needs reservation.
Hindustan Times has learnt that one among Patel’s slew of programmes in Delhi is scheduled to take place at a venue booked by BJP MP from Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Rajesh Verma.
“Yes, I have made a booking on the request of a close aide to hold a social gathering. I have nothing to do with Hardik Patel. I have to find out what my aide is actually up to,” Verma told Hindustan Times.
As Patel readies himself to address the Delhi media in the afternoon, Ahmedabad is preparing for the funeral of 32-year-old Shwetang Patel, who allegedly died in police custody after being picked up during the quota agitation.