'Reverse dandi march' on Sept 13 even if govt denies permission, says Hardik Patel

Surat: Hardik Patel on Sunday announced postponement till September 13 of the 'reverse Dandi yatra' over the Patel quota issue, which was scheduled to be taken out on Saturday. He, however, warned that he would go ahead with the protest programme if the government fails to grant permission to the rally by next Sunday.

"We have decided to postpone our Dandi yatra from its scheduled date of September 6 to September 13 as the scared government did not give us permission to hold it tomorrow. But we see this as their defeat and our triumph," Hardik said.

The 22-year-old leader, who has been spearheading the agitation to get reservation under OBC category for the Patel community, said they will hold the march on September 13 even if they are denied permission. Navsari District Collector Remya Mohan Muthadath earlier today denied permission to hold the march and also deployed security personnel and paramilitary forces to deal with the situation. "As of now, we have followed all the laws, but if they will again deny permission to us, we will not follow the laws. The Dandi yatra will take place on September 13 whether or not they give us permission," Hardik said.

"If violence will take place or if law and order will be breached, then the state government and the police will be responsible for that," he said.

Hardik alleged that the state government wants to divide communities in Gujarat. "The government has been making attempts to divide the communities. They want to instigate clash among communities.

"We do not want to create any conflict with other communities It is the state government's wish. We want peace, but it is the government who wants to create a chaotic situation in the society," he said.

Hardik noted that the agitation is only to seek reservation for the Patels and they are not against any other community.