OBC quota: Hardik Patel calls for ‘Gujarat Bandh’

Read: Curfew imposed in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, Ahmedabad schools shut

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

Read: After Hardik Patel’s huge quota rally, wave of violence across Gujarat

“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.

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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.

Read: What do the Patidars really want?

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.