Hardik Patel, convenor of PAAS and his team members called on the former two-time chief minister Keshubhai Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar today.
Hardik Patel, the leader of the Patel agitation in Gujarat, today met former chief minister Keshubhai Patel to seek his blessings, as his organisation, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) is demanding reservation for the Patel community colleges and jobs in the state.
The 22-year-old convenor of PAAS and his team members called on the former two-time chief minister at his residence in Gandhinagar.
"We have sought blessings from Keshubhai Patel for our reservation agitation. He said he will support the stir if it is conducted in a non-violent way. We have assured him that it will remain non-violent," Hardik said after the meeting.
Yesterday, the Patel leader had postponed his 'reverse Dandi March' to September 15, saying that he has been invited by a cabinet minister for a meeting with the chief minister on the issue.
Hardik is scheduled to meet chief minister Anandiben Patel later in the evening, where the issue of alleged police brutality during the violence after their rally on August 25 will be discussed.
"Our demand includes action against those policemen who were involved in atrocities. We will also raise the issue of compensation to those killed in the violence," Hardik told reporters.
Striking a conciliatory note, Hardik said that PAAS will not oppose the government's proposed announcement of a package for poor students belonging to upper caste. But they will stick to their demand of inclusion of the Patel community in the Other Backward Classes category for reservation.
This is the second time that PAAS has postponed their march, retracing a demonstration-walk led by Mahatma Gandhi against the colonial British government in 1930. Hardik said that if their issues remained unresolved after the meeting with the chief minister, then the march will take place tomorrow.