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Curfew in Gujarat towns after arrest of Patel leader sparks violence

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad and Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar have extended full solidarity with agitation led by Hardik Patel in Gujarat. They termed the BJP government at centre and in Gujarat as “anti-backward and anti-social justice”.

“We fully and strongly support the demand for reservation by Patel and Patidar castes in Gujarat as it has the theme of social justice in its root. RJD is with them and will fight together with them,” Prasad told media persons.

Prasad said the BJP-led Gujarat government was ignoring the “just demand” of the backward people in the state and trying to “oppress them into submission”.

“It is now established that the BJP headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anti-backward and anti-social justice. They have always been opposed to reservation for the poor and downtrodden,” he said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also expressed solidarity with Gujarat Patel community leader Hardik Patel over his demand for OBC status to the Patel community.

Speaking to journalists, the Bihar CM said: “I extend my good wishes to Hardik Patel for his cause. I think the government should consider his demand.” This is the first time Nitish has publicly extended his support to the young Patel leader, who also invoked the Bihar CM’s name in context of hailing from the same caste group as Patel.