Guj Cong fasts to protest against caste violence, communalism

Gujarat Congress leaders today observed a two-hour symbolic fast across the state to protest against caste violence and communalism.

The call was given by the party's president Rahul Gandhi, with local leaders claiming that the aim of the fast was to "spread the message of harmony" and drawing the attention of the government to the "rising fear" among SC, STs, OBCs and minorities.

"The fast was observed at all major towns and district headquarters today between 10am and noon. It was to spread the message of harmony and to draw the government's attention to the rising fear among SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities," said Gujarat Congress spokesperson, Manish Doshi.

State Congress president Amit Chavda participated in the protest at Vadodara while Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani took part in Amreli.

Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar, local MLA Imran Khedawala and Himmatsinh Patel joined party workers for the symbolic fast at Lal Darwaja area here, Doshi added.