Agitation to intensify, police indulging in violence, says Hardik Patel

Ahmedabad: The agitation for OBC quota to Patels will intensify in the coming days, Hardik Patel who is leading the stir said on Wednesday and blamed the police for the violence.

Rejecting suggestions that the protesters started the violence last night, he alleged that the police were trying to "disrupt" the "movement" at the behest of the political establishment.

Read: Patel agitation: Hardik calls for 'Gujarat Bandh', state tense

"They (Police) are indulging in violence. Police is beating mothers, sisters and small children. They are doing it the same way it is done in UP and Bihar.”

"I haven't said anything provocative. We will continue our movement on path of non-violence. We are urging to restore peace. If needed strikes and fast will happen everywhere," he said.

Read: Violence spreads in Gujarat, curfew imposed in Surat, Mehsana

Patel, who shot into limelight with a massive rally here yesterday, said he has no political affiliation.

"We have urged people to restore peace. We urge the same to the government and police. If even a single person is beaten, then the government and the police will be responsible for the consequences," he told a news channel.

Read: Hardik Patel: Know the man behind the movement

"Let them prove that I have any political affiliation. I have no political affiliation.... This fight is for our rights," he said.

Agitating members of Patel community indulged in arson and stone pelting and vandalised public property last night after brief detention of Hardik Patel.

Read: Lotus will not bloom, Hardik Patel dares BJP in a public rally in Ahmedabad

Fresh violence broke out during a day long bandh on Wednesday called by him even as curfew was clamped in parts of Ahmedabad, Surat and Mehsana districts and thousands of paramilitary and anti-riot personnel were deployed to control the situation.