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| India's Patel community gather in numbers for caste quotas | India's Patel community gather in numbers for caste quotas |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people of Gujarat's Patel community have gathered in India's western city of Ahmedabad to demand affirmative action for better access to jobs and education. | Tens of thousands of people of Gujarat's Patel community have gathered in India's western city of Ahmedabad to demand affirmative action for better access to jobs and education. |
| The meeting is being addressed by Hardik Patel, a 21-year-old controversial community leader. | The meeting is being addressed by Hardik Patel, a 21-year-old controversial community leader. |
| Patels comprise 20% of the population of Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. | Patels comprise 20% of the population of Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. |
| They are also the most economically influential community in the state. | They are also the most economically influential community in the state. |
| Patels control India's thriving diamond cutting and polishing industry and are among the most prosperous businessmen and farmers in Gujarat. | Patels control India's thriving diamond cutting and polishing industry and are among the most prosperous businessmen and farmers in Gujarat. |
| But a slowdown in small and medium industries - where many Patels are employed - in Gujarat has led to a drying up of employment opportunities, reports say. | But a slowdown in small and medium industries - where many Patels are employed - in Gujarat has led to a drying up of employment opportunities, reports say. |
| Led by Mr Hardik Patel, a feisty, upcoming community leader, the 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. | Led by Mr Hardik Patel, a feisty, upcoming community leader, the 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. |
| The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Ahmedabad says at least 300,000 people have turned up for Tuesday's meeting and security is tight. | |
| The organisers of the rally have roped in 2,500 volunteers to manage the crowds and keep peace, our correspondent says. | The organisers of the rally have roped in 2,500 volunteers to manage the crowds and keep peace, our correspondent says. |
| "We are not against any community. We are fighting for our rights," Mr Patel told the packed audience. | "We are not against any community. We are fighting for our rights," Mr Patel told the packed audience. |
| Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has rejected their demand and urged community leaders to hold talks with the government. | Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has rejected their demand and urged community leaders to hold talks with the government. |
| "Her appeal means nothing... it is just to create confusion on the agitation... had she been serious, she would have announced something concrete," Mr Patel was quoted as saying by the NDTV news channel. | "Her appeal means nothing... it is just to create confusion on the agitation... had she been serious, she would have announced something concrete," Mr Patel was quoted as saying by the NDTV news channel. |