The activists, many of them believed to have come from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, were dispersed midway after police resorted to mild lathicharge, SP Dilip Zhalke said.
The call to hold the 'halla-bolo' demonstration was given two days back by ABVP and YAC leaders to protest against "corrupt" ministers in the Union Cabinet.
"The workers also comprising activists of Bajrang Dal and VHP tried to march towards Patel's office and residence in small groups in the afternoon but their attempt was foiled by police when they reached at an intersection on Gondia-Balaghat Road," Zhalke said.
He said Patel was not present in the city when the protests were being held. Patel, a senior NCP leader, represents the Bhandra-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency from east Maharashtra.
"More than 500 activists were detained by police at the headquarters and were later released," the SP said.
Senior BJP MLA Nana Patole met the activists during detention.
