Ahmedabad: Police today detained Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel along with 35 of his supporters from Varachha area here for trying to take out the ‘Ekta Yatra’ without taking prior permission from authorities.
“We detained Hardik Patel along with his 35 supporters from Mangadh chowk in Varachha area of the city ahead of their rally today,” Surat Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said.
Speaking to reporters condemning the police action, the 22-year-old firebrand leader said, “The Gujarat government wants to muzzle our voice. They want to harass us. The Gujarat government and the state police wants violence in the state. This act is against the spirit of democracy.”
Hardik had till yesterday kept his plans secret about the Ekta rally after being denied permission to hold it from Dandi to Ahmedabad.
Earlier today, Hardik’s associate and the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) in Surat- Alpesh Kathiria-announced that they will take out the rally from Mangadh chowk in Varachha area of the city.
