Hardik vows to continue agitation; announces women's rally

Hardik Patel today said the agitation for reservations for Patel community in the OBC category will continue as per the earlier plans, and a mega rally of Patel women would be held in Saurashtra region soon.
Speaking to media after a hearing in the High Court, he also announced several other programs in various parts of the state to mount pressure on the Gujarat government.
"On October 1 we will hold a gathering at Rajkot to condole the death of Umesh Patel who committed suicide. Then we have organised a large gathering of our community on October 4 at Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district," said Hardik, convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.

Umesh Patel, who allegedly committed suicide on Saturday, had said in the suicide note that he was taking the extreme step in support of the demand for reservations. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had said that local police were investigating to find out the exact reason for suicide.
Referring to CM's remarks, Hardik alleged that the government was not doing proper investigation.
"Though the suicide note is available, government is still talking about investigation to find out reasons. It is also not serious about the main investigation about the firing and police atrocities (after the Patels' rally on August 25). Our agitation will continue as per earlier plans," he said.

The rally of Patel women in Saurashtra region would be as grand as the one held in Ahmedabad on August 25, he said.
"We have not yet decided the place and date for this rally. We will finalise it after our rally in Himmatnagar, where at least two lakh Patels are expected to attend," said Hardik's close aide Dinesh Patel.