Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti to intensify quota agitation

Rajkot: Patidars are all set to launch an intensified agitation from February 21 to renew their demand for reservation under OBC quota as well as release of incarcerated leaders, including Hardik Patel. All district conveners of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) met in Padadhari town near Rajkot to chalk out a detailed programme for the Ekta Yatra, which was to start last month, and month long agitation programmes.
The Ekta Yatra will start from Sidsar, the main religious town of Kadva Patels, on February 21. The 30-day yatra will conclude in Kagvad, where Leuva Patels are building a grand temple of their community deity Khodal Mata, after traversing all 11districts of Saurashtra.
“We are expecting 5 lakh Patidars to converge at Kagvad where the yatra will end on March 21,” PAAS convener, Saurashtra region, Lalit Vasoya, said. The PAAS conveners also announced a fast-unto-death programme at each headquarter of 11 districts from February 9 to demand immediate release of jailed leaders. Hardik and others are lodged in Surat’s Lajpore jail since October last year afte being charged with sedition.
A fresh round of confrontation with the government looks imminent with PAAS deciding to organize a thaali-belan protest by women groups at every government programme in Saurashtra. Vasoya said they will now apply for permission in all 11 districts in the next few days.
When asked about talks with government, Vasoya said there is no such possibility unless the jailed leaders are released.