Patidar Ekta Yatra gets nod, to begin on February 24

Rajkot: The Patidar Ekta Yatra, which is seen as revival of OBC quota stir by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), has finally got nod from the Jamnagar district administration. The yatra will now be flagged off from Sidsar in Jamjodhpur of Jamnagar district on February 24.
"We have received the go-ahead from Jamnagar district administration for the Ekta Yatra from Umiyadham Sidsar.However, due to the model code of conduct, which is in force in Jamnagar due to election in Sikka municipality, we have changed the yatra date from February 21 to February 24," said Lalit Vasoya, PAAS convener, Saurashtra region.
"There was never an issue with the dates. We have cooperated with the local administration. Over 75,000 people are expected to join the Ekta Yatra. We are awaiting response from other districts for passage of the yatra from there," Vasoya added.
PAAS's Ekta Yatra is crucial as it is aimed at garnering support of Patidars in rural Saurashtra to renew the community's demand for OBC quota. The development come amid reports of negotiation between community leaders and state government over release of jailed Patidar leaders including PAAS convener Hardik Patel.
The Yatra will kick off from Sidsar, a holy pilgrimage place for Kadva Patels. After travelling across villages of Saurashtra for 30 days, the yatra will end at Kagvad, the holy place of Leuva Patels in Rajkot district.
"Over 5 lakh people are likely to attend the conclusion of the yatra at Kagvad," Vasoya added.
The yatra was earlier scheduled to begin from January 26, but was postponed after PAAS did not receive permission from the respective district administrations.