Worried Patels in UK say violence no solution
Friday, 28/08/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
LONDON: The 2 lakh-strong Patel community in Britain is closely following the agitation in Gujarat, with many sympathising with the demands raised by Hardik Patel — the man behind the protests — but also expressing serious concern over the violence and its effect on India’s image abroad.
CB Patel, a prominent community leader and publisher of ‘Gujarat Samachar’ and ‘Asian Voice’ publications, told HT: “There are some genuine grievances but we are against violence. I have spoken to many Patels in the US too. We are all worried. Maybe Hardik Patel was wrong, but the police also needs to be tactful.”
He added: “Today I am genuinely very worried, not only because of my family name, but for India, the development path does not deserve such death or destruction.”
According to Patel, the ideal solution would be to “create a formula to elevate the age-old disadvantage based on socioeconomic criteria as it has happened in several Western democracies for the removal of discrimination and create equal opportunities”.
There are 200,000 Hindu Patels and nearly 25,000 Muslim Patels in Britain.
Another senior Patel community leader, who preferred anonymity, was critical of chief minister Anandiben Patel, who, he alleged, did not act with the sensitivity required while dealing with the situation across the state.
