Surat, Sept. 13 : The Patel community agitation leader in Gujarat Hardik Patel on Sunday postponed his ‘reverse Dandi march’ and agreed to meet state Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
Patel who is leading his community’s demand for quota in government jobs and educational institutions however warned that the rally will be held if the meeting remains fruitless.
“Senior cabinet minister of Gujarat, Saurabh Patel invited Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) for talks on Monday saying all the issues will be resolved in the meeting,” said Patel.
“If they do not come with any solution by Monday then by Tuesday (September 15) morning the march would start from Dandi for which the legal permission will be given from the chief minister’s behalf,” he added.
Patel, had earlier cancelled a similar planned march on September 6, saying he is firm on his demand.
“We were carrying our agitation peacefully but when the police personnel hit our children it is our responsibility that we ensure some action on those police personnel. Only after that will we begin our struggle for reservation,” said Patel.
Earlier on Saturday, the 22-year-old leader had said the rally would go on “at any cost” even as the government had turned down his request for holding the rally for a second time.
Violence broke out across the state after police detained Patel briefly, leading to at least nine deaths.
Members of the Patel community said they will continue to demand changes to policies that, they argue, unfairly favour groups at the lower end of country’s social order. (ANI)