Quota stir: Gujarat govt denies nod to Patels' 'Ekta Yatra', Hardik adamant

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Friday once again denied permission to Hardik Patel-led 'Ekta Yatra' scheduled tomorrow, even as the Patel quota agitation leader remained adamant to go ahead with the march "at any cost".

In past two weeks, Hardik had announced to take out the "reverse Dandi March" twice, but cancelled the plan after the district administration denied permission to them.

Navsari District Collector RM Muthudath told PTI, "We have denied permission to (Hardik Patel) to take out the rally tomorrow in the larger interest of law and order situation."

Muthudath said the district administration has also denied permission to a counter-rally sought by OBC leaders and the representatives of around 91 villages surrounding Navsari.

Earlier today, Hardik said they would go ahead with their Ekta Yatra at any cost.

"Our rally will be held tomorrow. But we will avoid to go in such villages where we may face protest of the OBC community villagers," Hardik told reporters before leaving for Surat to take stock of preparation of the rally.

"We will request the people of Gujarat to support our cause. We are not against any community. We are just fighting to get reservation for our community," he added.

Hardik said they will follow the path of "civil disobedience", but assured that the rally will be held peacefully without doing harm to anybody.

The 22-year-old leader also hinted that there would be some twist in the rally.

However, keeping their plan under wraps, the Hardik Patel-led Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) did not divulge details of the commencing point of the yatra.

"We can take out the rally from anywhere in south Gujarat if the permission is denied to take out the rally from Dandi," Hardik's aide Alpesh Katheria said.

Members of OBC community, led by Alpesh Thakor of 'OBC Ekta Manch', have asked for permission to take out 'Pratikar Rally' to lodge their protest against Hardik's Ekta rally.

Thakor said they would make every possible attempt to stop Hardik's rally because he is on the path of creating class conflict. "If they (Hardik and other Patel leaders) will take out their rally, we will be there in each and every villages en route the rally to stop them," Thakor said.

"These people are trying to create class conflict and making attempts to breach peace of Gujarat. Therefore, we will not allow them to take out their rally and we will show them black flags," he added.