NEW DELHI: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the people of Gujarat for restoring peace in the state in the wake of the quota agitation by the Patel community, Hardik Patel, the face of the agitation, declared in Delhi that he would take his protests to other parts of the country. Hardik said he was in talks with other communities in extending the quota in government jobs and educational institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, the 22-year-old said, “Whatever has happened in Gujarat, we want to take it to the national level and there are (people of) around 12 states who are connected to us.
“It (agitation) is a marathon and not a 100-metre race. It will go on for 1-2 years. I intend to bring 27 crore people of our community together who are in different states,”
Announcing his next agitation, he added, “We intend to organise a mega rally in Lucknow, at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. We will give a call to the Patels of India (to join the movement).”
Patel, who has been in news for bringing massive crowds in Ahmedabad for demanding reservation for the patidar community, has also been shown brandishing guns and swords in various pictures in the social media.
During his stay in Delhi, Patel held meetings with Akhil Bhartiya Kurmi Kshatriya Mahasabha chief Pam Prasad Chaudhary, Akhil Bhartiya Chaudhary Anjana Samiti president Deeparam Patel and general secretary of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Akhilesh Katiyar, a Kurmi leader from UP. He also met some leaders of the Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha. RSLP chief Upendra Kushwaha, a Koeri leader from Bihar, is a Minister of State in the Modi government.