PAAS postpones reverse Dandi yatra again, meeting with CM on Monday

Surat

Convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) in Surat, Alpesh Kathiria today late in the evening said tomorrow’s reverse Dandi yatra which was to begin from Dandi in Navsari district has been postponed as the state government has invited Hardik Patel and others from PAAS for discussions.

Kathiria conveyed this to media persons through written message over whatsapp.

Later he addressed a press conference at around 12.40 am and said: “Minister Saurabh Patel conveyed us on telephone at 11.25 pm that Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will meet Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti representatives in Gandhinagar on Monday. Saurabh Patel told that if Patidars are not satisfied after this discussion by 6.00 pm, the we will hold reverse Dandi march on the next day. Patidars will demand actions against cops responsible for lathicharge at GMDC ground first. They should be suspended. If government doesn’t accept our demand, Patidars will boycott the polls and all government programmes. Reservation is secondary issue for us. Our first issue is to get reply that who was responsible for police actions due to which 123 were injured and 8 were killed. Who was responsible for the incident of GMDC ground? Till the time we don’t get answer, we will continue our agitation. Cops responsible must be suspended. Yuva krantikaris and Patidars will sit with Chief Minister only. Noone is accepted to us as mediator. If not satisfied with discussion on Monday, we will hold rally on Tuesday from Dandi only. If government stops Patidars in future, Patidars in Surat will boycott all government programmes and elections. Our stand will be that no politician should step in Surat for any political programme. If they come, they should ready to face result. If on Monday when we reach Gandhinagar, if the government betrays us, it will attract big reaction. ”

Kathiria criticized government for imposition of section 144, ban on internet and denial of permission to reverse Dandi march.

He said the yatra was declared postponed a week ago because ministers had called and promised announcement within a week. But even after week no announcement was made.

Holding tomorrow’s reverse Dandi march was anyway risky affair for Hardik and his cadre. The state government had deployed para military force, police, State Reserve Police force on highways, in Navsari town and at Dandi. The area was almost sealed for strangers. And this was not the only challenge for Hardik Patel and others. 70 villages including Dandi in coastal south Gujarat were united against Hardik Patel’s reverse march. Sarpanchs of these villages were ready to block Hardik Patel’s march along with thousands of local villagers. This could trigger a huge clash.

It should be mentioned that proposed Dandi yatra was postponed last week too due to lack of permission by government. Even for tomorrow’s reverse Dandi yatra, permission was denied, however Hardik and his organization was adamant to hold it. Permissions were also denied to Machhi community and Sarpanchs of 70-villages for holding counter march.

The yatra however has been postponed again.

– DeshGujarat