Hardik begins fast for quota; Kejriwal, Mevani, Cong MLAs

Patidar leader Hardik Patel began an indefinite fast at his sprawling farmhouse here today to press for reservation for his community, after the BJP government in Gujarat refused him permission to stage the protest at a public place.

State AAP leaders visited Patel as his fast began and delivered a letter of support from party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Dalit leader and Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani also visited him and expressed support.

Patel, leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) that is heading the agitation for quota for Patidars (Patels) in jobs and education, started his fast at 3 pm in the presence of supporters and several Congress legislators after performing a pooja.

The farmhouse turned into a fortress with the deployment of police personnel in large numbers and anyone entering the premises was frisked.

While Patel alleged that the BJP government denied him permission to stage the fast to thwart his protest, police said it was denied in view of the riot-like situation during the PAAS' 2015 agitation.

"Today is the third anniversary of the Patidar agitation. Two months ago, we had sought permission to stage protest in the form of indefinite fast. But we were not granted permission and therefore, we decided to hold it at my residence," Patel told reporters.

He alleged that police had detained 16,000 of his supporters and set up blockades on highways leading to Ahmedabad to stop others from joining him.

Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) R B Bhrambhatt, however, put the number of detained persons at 158.

"Widespread violence by anti-social elements was reported on August 25, 2015, after the PAAS was given permission to hold a rally.

"Similarly, after a symbolic dharna (sit-in) last week, buses were burnt and damaged in Surat. We have (therefore) denied permission after due diligence," he said.

Bhrambhatt said, "The message going around on social media, propagated by some PAAS leaders, that we have detained 16,000 people is baseless. We have detained only 158 people as a precautionary measure."