The Gujarat Government today warned of stern action against those attending the mega rally of Patels on Tuesday who try to create law and order problems.
"If anybody does any provocative act or if they try to take law in their hands during the rally, the state government and the police will take stern action against them," said state government spokesperson and Health Minister Nitin Patel.
His statement comes a day after the Patel community leader, Hardik Patel said that government and the police will be held responsible if their rally turns violent.
"We want to hold the rally (on August 25) peacefully, but if they (state government or police) try to stop us, we will not remain silent. If violence happens, the government and the police will be responsible for that," Hardik, convener of 'Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti' who is spearheading the agitation, had said.
Nitin Patel, who heads the seven-member ministerial panel set up by the government to negotiate with the communities agitating for reservations, appealed to citizens to hold the rally peacefully.
"The Gujarat government today made an appeal to the citizens to hold rally or gathering peacefully so that peace and unity of Gujarat can be preserved and no obstacle would come in the path of development," the minister said.
"Even our Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has also made an appeal, while requesting all the communities to give their cooperation in the issue," he added.
Members of Patel community have been holding protests and organising rallies in various parts of the state demanding reservation in government jobs and education under OBC quota.
