Ahmedabad

Demanding reservation in Other Backward Castes (OBC) quota, members of the Patel community in Gujarat today held rallies in Gandhinagar and Sabarkantha districts, officials said.

Range IG, Gandhinagar, Hasmukh Patel told PTI that the rallies at Gandhinagar and Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha districts went off peacefully.

Both the rallies were held under the banner of ‘Patidar Anamat Andolan’ (Patel Reservation Movement), said convener Hardik Patel.

Patel, who led the Himmatnagar rally, said they want the state government to consider their demand for OBC status before 2017 Assembly elections or be ready for state-wide stir.

“Now, it is difficult to stop us – the Patel community. Whoever, from Patel community are in BJP or in Congress should resign from their respective party to give their support to our movement (for reservation in OBC status),” Patel added.

“They (Patel community members) began the rally from Gh-0 area and finished at the Chhavni area after handing over their memorandum of demand for the OBC quota to Gandhinagar district collector,” the IG said.

PTI