After a day-long show of massive numerical strength by the Patel community demanding reservation, followed by the arrest of the 22year-old convener of the rally , Hardik Patel, for sounding a war cry against the BJP government, a rattled administration retreated and released the protest kingpin no sooner the angry mobs took to violence and arson on the streets of Ahmedabad late on Tuesday .
Earlier too, police had resorted to lathicharge when Hardik refused to vacate the venue, the GMDC ground, where several of his supporters were injured, leading to his arrest at around 7.30pm. By 10pm, the state government had second thoughts, as it did not want any further confrontation with the core support base of the ruling BJP .
Around four to five lakh Patels from across Gujarat trooped in for the Kranti Rally , which brought the city to a standstill at the call of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel, who asked them to intensify the agitation, even if it meant packing prisons with protesters. He spoke about Patels and allied communities having a strength of 24 crore in the country all bereft of the benefits of reservation. The administration was faced with hard choices after Hardik threatened to paralyze the state's economy by stifling essential supplies, halting trains and blocking highways.“It's a fight for our rights. If granted without fuss, we will accept it with humility; else, we know how to snatch it,“ Hardik thundered to rousing applause.
The showdown with the government took a turn for the worse when Hardik and his associates made the impromptu decision of starting a 48-hour hunger strike, giving an ultimatum to chief minister Anandiben Patel to come in person and accept their memorandum at the venue.
Cracks emerged in the already brittle relationship between Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and the much older Lalji Patel-headed Sardar Patel Group (SPG), the two organizations that have collaborated over the past two months to galvanize millions of supporters for Patel reservation.
Immediately after the public meeting where Hardik hogged the limelight, SPG publicly distanced itself from his 48-hour ultimatum to chief minister Anandiben Patel.
“The decision is unfortunate and childish. It is Hardik's decision. One has to maintain the dignity of the CM's chair,“ said Dr Vinod Patel, member, SPG. Lalji also disowned Hardik's inflammatory statements.
“SPG does not endorse provocative statements made by Hardik. We were not informed about the rally to the collector's office or the decision to sit on fast,“ Lalji said.
Hardik, however, got back saying he had the mandate of his community.
This was even as the bandh turned violent as many areas of Ahmedabad witnessed Patidar rampage. Vastrapur, Paldi, Ellisbridge, Vadaj, Navrangpura and Nikol recorded skirmishes as youth broke windows of shops and offices.
