Indian and South African cricket teams arrived in Rajkot for the third One Day International >amid a protest call given by Hardik Patel , who is demanding quota for the Patel community.
Hardik has said that members of his community will raise slogans against the BJP government during the match to be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium on October 18.
“Both the teams arrived here at around 4pm in a chartered flight from Indore for the third ODI on October 18,” SCA media manager Himanshu Shah said.
The ODI will prove to be a litmus test for both the SCA and police as Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is likely to remain present for the post match ceremony.
22-year-old Hardik has declared that his supporters will remain present in large number for the match to raise demand for the reservation under OBC category.
Despite SCA honorary secretary Niranjan Shah urging Hardik to refrain from the agitation during the match, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) has maintained that they will continue with their planned protest.
“This is a sport activity and thus this is not a proper platform for agitation for such demand,” Shah had said.
Former Ranji players have also appealed Hardik not to agitate during the Rajkot ODI. As Anadebien Patel is likely to remain present, the police have stepped up security. State DGP P C Thakur too had visited Rajkot last week to take stock of security arrangements.
“We have made adequate security arrangement for the One day match and the department will deal with any untoward incident,” Rajkot rural SP Gagandeep Gambhir said.
District Collector Manisha Chandra has also held meetings with the officials of the district authority and the SCA to ensure smooth conduct of the game.
