The month-old agitation reached the government's doorstep on Monday, with a huge rally held by the members of the community in Gandhinagar.
The politically significant Patel community in Gujarat has intensified its agitation for inclusion in the Other Backward Caste category, which will entitle them to reservation in government jobs and educational institutes.
The month-old agitation reached the government's doorstep on Monday, with a huge rally held by the members of the community in Gandhinagar.
The movement started quietly last month. But it drew attention on July 24 after protesters attacked the police in Visnagar town in North Gujarat.
Following the incident, there was a spurt in protests from north Gujarat to Saurashtra and more rallies are being planned in the days to come.
"As of now, we are sticking to the Gandhian principals and carrying out a peaceful agitation, but if need arises like the Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan, can intensify it,'' said Hardik Patel of Patidar Samaj Andolan.
Patels constitute 15% of the Gujarat electorate and are considered a strong BJP votebank. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and state BJP chief RC Faldu belong to the community.
Still, the ruling BJP is uneasy and has ruled out talking to the protesters.
The agitation comes as the local body elections -- nagarpalika and panchayat elections -- are around the corner and party leaders claim the Congress is engineering the protest.
"There is a Congress hand behind the agitation... as per the Supreme Court guidelines, we cannot accept these demands," commented Union minister and Gujarat BJP leader Mohan Kundariya.
A section within the party also claims the agitation could be a fallout of the rumblings within the BJP, with some elements trying to unsettle the Chief Minister. Officially, the party has dismissed these reports and the Chief Minister, too, has maintained a silence on the issue.