Published On : Fri, Aug 28th, 2015

Flames of Patidar-agitation in Gujarat heat Nagpur too

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Nagpur: The ongoing Patidar-agitation in Gujarat, demanding reservation under OBC category, seems to have spread to other parts of the country. The Patidars of Nagpur too have extended their support to the ongoing agitation.There are about 1.25 lakh Gujaratis here in the city, of whom many are like Gujarati Patels who have announced their support to Hardik Patel’s state-wide agitation.

The Patel community members here on Thursday gathered in a meeting held at Timber Market and chalked out a plan of support of solidarity to the ongoing agitation.

Though the agitation is aimed at seeking reservation, it has brought two factions of Patidars into the fold of solidarity for the cause.

Both factions of Leva and Kadva Patidars are now sharing a common platform in the name of agitation. The views collected from certain Patidars in this regard are as follows:

Umesh patelUmesh Patel, president, Sardar Patel Yuvak Mandal:
According to Umesh Patel, president, Sardar Patel Yuvak Mandal, the demand of Patidar community for reservation is justified.

He clarified, Patidars are mistaken for belonging to affluent category just because they are somehow engaged in trading and business sector while the reality is quite different than what it is seemingly.

In fact, many families of Patidar community need reservation or government aids for their survival.

And, as the government is not considering this aspect of their existence, the need of agitation against government has cropped up; now it is the fight for their rights.

Bharat Patel, vice president, Sauratshtra Patel Samaj:Bharat Patel
This agitation is aimed at seeking rights of Patidar Samaj. A bigger section of Patidars is ralated to farming, which is no more profitable these days due to various factors.

The Patidar community youths go for higher education, but again there is no job for them in open category.

That is why they are seeking reservation to enter the jobs and survive. As it is their right, they shall obtain it at any cost. Thus, the repercussion of ongoing Gujarat agitation is being noticed in other parts as well.

Jaiprakash parekhNagpur-based trader, Jaiprakash Parekh had been to Surat in connection with trading. He was due to return by Wednesday, but the agitators blocked the trains at various places, and so, several trains were cancelled.

According to Parekh, the Western Railway had to cancel about 30 trains. He then boarded a bus from Surat and reached Mumbai on Thursday.

All means of conveyance from Gujarat to all other directions across the country have similar fate.

Gujarat-Nagpur bound train No. 19453 was cancelled while train No. 12905 was also terminated at a short period.