Agitating Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members are finding new and novel ways to highlight their demand seeking reservation for Patels in education and Government jobs under the OBC category.
PAAS activists have seen the upcoming India-South Africa one-day cricket match to be played at Rajkot on October 18, as an ideal opportunity to propagate their cause and are planning to buy tickets in bulk to launch the protest at the Race Course ground during the highly-popular event.
As the match would be broadcast across many countries and throughout India, PAAS workers are planning to grab eyeballs by wearing uniform T-shirts and caps propagating their cause inside the stadium and wave banners, posters and flags with pro-quota slogans on them, sources said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and some of her Ministers will also go to Rajkot to watch the match.
“Some of the affluent Patels are supporting this initiative and have already expressed their willingness to fund the bulk purchase of match tickets. later on tickets will be distributed to the PAAS activists,” said a source close to PAAS convener Hardik Patel. Ticket booking for the match will start on October 10.
Hardik Patel and Sardar Patel Group convener lalji Patel have also put their stamp of approval on the proposed demonstration at the
newly-constructed cricket stadium at Khanduri on the outskirts of Rajkot.
This innovative method of agitation is giving police nightmares but they are determined not to let the Patidars ruin the fun for everyone else by creating a scene at the stadium during the match.
A senior police official said that in wake of the announcement by Patel leaders, security arrangements would be tightened further. “We will not allow anyone to enter the stadium with banners and other objectionable material,” he said.
When contacted, Rajkot SP Gagandeep Gambhir said that Rajkot police was prepared to tackle any possible protest and would make sure that the match was held peacefully in a congenial atmosphere.
Meanwhile, defying prohibitory orders and the large contingent of police force, PAAS supporters attended a condolence meeting at Nananpur Village near North Gujarat town Himmatnagar on Sunday. However, the PAAS convener was not present at the meeting.
Despite the district administration promulgating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and denying permission to hold the
meeting, the PAAS organisers erected stages equipped with sound systems at four different locations.