Convener of the Patidar agitation, Hardik Patel, in a surprising move, announced a two-pronged strategy for the second phase of their demonstration. The members of the community were arranged to carry out a 'reverse Dandi march', i.e., from Dandi to Gandhi Ashram. They were also to visit the residence of every elected Patel leader and present them with a flower.
However, plans for the Dandi Yatra were dampened after the Gujarat government denied them permission. Hardik Patel in what now seems like a familiar pattern, has warned that he would go ahead with the protest programme if the government doesn't grant permission soon. “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 on Sunday. But we see this as their defeat and our triumph.”
He said they would hold the march on September 13 even if they are denied permission. Navsari District Collector Remya Mohan Muthadath earlier, 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 takes 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.”
Hardik pointed out that the agitation is only to seek reservation for the Patels and they are not against any other community. His close aide, Chirag Patel said state authorities have imposed Section 144 of CrPC to restrain the huge influx of Patels, as they feel intimidated by the solidarity of Patel. “They have denied us permission. Now we are determined to take out the march on September 13. If they give us permission or not, we will hold the march on that day,” Chirag said.
