The Patel community is set to go on a reverse Dandi march from the coastal village in south Gujarat on Sunday amid heavy police deployment after the authorities denied permission.
The government also banned mobile-based Internet services in Navsari district for 24 hours. “We have rejected the application... because we fear it could lead to a law and order situation,” Navsari Collector Remya Mohan said.
“More than 3,000 policemen have been deployed in Navsari district to maintain peace. We will not allow anyone to take the law in his hands,” said a police officer from the district. Meanwhile, Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel told journalists that “he and other members of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) are prepared to be arrested, but the Dandi march will continue.”
“I am not worried about my arrest by the police, who have also denied permission to us despite our assurance that no member of our outfit will try to create disturbance during the Dandi March,” said Mr. Patel, 22, who earlier tried in vain to launch the rally on September 6 and is desperate to remain sole leader of the agitation amidst intense internal feuds.
In the last few days, the agitation has been intensified with women at the forefront taking on Ministers and politicians.
Several functions and social events were disrupted by the women belonging to the community.
On Friday, Home Minister Rajni Patel faced angry women in his native Mehsana district. Mr. Patel was not allowed to speak at an event, organised by the district panchayat, as Patel women, holding plates and spoons or rolling pins and clanking them, forced him to leave the venue immediately.
