A curfew has been imposed in India’s western state of Gujarat following violence after a massive rally by the Patel community demanding better access to jobs and education.
A day-long strike called by the community is also being observed. The main city of Ahmedabad is virtually shut down.
Tuesday’s rally turned violent when protesters clashed with local people.
Patels make up 20% of the population of Gujarat.
The caste is economically and politically powerful but the protesters say quotas for lower castes put them at a disadvantage.
The rally was addressed by Hardik Patel, a 22-year-old controversial community leader.
Several incidents of violence and rioting were reported from across Ahmedabad late on Tuesday following the detention of Mr Patel, who was later released.
The BBC Hindi’s Ankur Jain in Ahmedabad says curfew has been imposed in nine areas of Ahmedabad, as well as in the Surat and Mehsana districts after clashes broke out after Tuesday’s meeting, attended by some 300,000 people belonging to the community.
Reports say the security forces used batons to disperse thousands of people. Other protestors reportedly destroyed cars; and stones were thrown as members of the Patel community clashed with people from lower castes.
At least 70 buses were also torched by the protestors.
Our correspondent says the army and paramilitary soldiers have been deployed in Surat and Ahmedabad, and internet services on mobile phones suspended.
Wednesday’s strike has shut down schools, businesses and public transport in Ahmedabad and other parts of the state.
“The police have assaulted members of my community and behaved like terrorists. We will carry out our movement peacefully. I am asking my supporters to fast in support of our cause,” Mr Patel said in a statement.
Patels control India’s thriving diamond cutting and polishing industry and are among the most prosperous businessmen and farmers in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. .
But they complain that they are denied college places because of affirmative action to ensure those below them in India’s complex social structure have access.
And they say they have been affected by a slowdown in small and medium industries in Gujarat which has led to a drying up of employment opportunities.
Patels are now demanding affirmative action and classification as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) so that they are entitled to quotas in state-run education centres and in government jobs.
OBC refers to the castes – in the middle of the Hindu caste hierarchy – who do not face so much exclusion or isolation in society but have been traditionally socially and economically disadvantaged. (BBC News)
Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34059789
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