Police detain Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel while he was trying to take out Ekta Yatra from Varachha Road in Surat on Saturady. (Press Trust of India photo)
Hours after Patidar community leader
Hardik Patel was detained in Gujarat today, his Patel Nav Nirman Sena demanded his release by the evening or warned of a nationwide "jail bharo" agitation.
"If Hardik Patel is not released by government (Gujarat) by today (Saturday) evening then we will start massive jail bharo andolan across the country. Narendra Modi government and the state government will be responsible for it," Patel Nav Nirman Sena's national secretary Akhilesh Katiyar told IANS in New Delhi.
"The state government along with the central government is creating an emergency like situation in the country. They have blocked all the mode of communication, including internet, and are even tapping the phone calls of our leaders," he said, adding, "It is totally illegal and against the Indian Constitution."
He said, "The government's dictatorship will lead the country in a worst situation. We are doing peaceful march, rally and protest but government is not giving permission at all. It feels like we are living in Syria not in India."
He requested Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel to "release Hardik Patel immediately and give us permission for the peaceful march and accept our reservation demand."
"And if our demands are not fulfilled 27 crore people will protest across the nation," he warned the Chief Minister.
Patidar leader Hardik Patel was detained by Gujarat Police along with 50 supporters when they attempted to
launch an 'Ekta Rally' in Surat today morning.
The rally, which the police said was unauthorised, was intended to press for caste-based reservations for the Patel community. The agitation is being spearheaded by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).