Reservation activist Hardik Patel threatens to interrupt the 3rd ODI by blocking the stadium entrance in Rajkot
Political activist Hardik Patel who is seeking reservation for people belonging to the Patidar community in government, as well as education sector, has threatened to obstruct the passage of the Indian and South African teams to the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot during the 3rd ODI of the PayTM Gandhi-Mandela series on October 18.
Patel, the 22-year old quota-leader has managed to grab the headlines all over the country with his agitation movements. He revealed that numerous supporters of the Patel community will form a barrier and restrict access to the stadium, which is situated in a village close to Rajkot.
Implying that the BCCI have denied tickets to members of his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, Patel has incited his followers to highlight their movement to the entire world by impeding the much-awaited encounter between India and South Africa.
Hardik said, “Saurashtra Cricket Association should clarify why they declared that all tickets are sold in spite of the fact that many tickets yet remain unsold. PAAS will block the way of both the teams to the stadium and we will also cordon the entire stadium.”
Clearly unfazed by his threat, the police officials have created extensive security arrangements by securing the stadium in order to guarantee the progress of the contest without any untoward incidents. The fool-proof plan includes the use of three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 90 CCTV cameras which will be specially installed for the match.
In a direct retort aimed at the Central Government and BJP, Patel stated, “The government was saying till now that the match should not be turned into an agitation venue, but now this government is itself playing politics over the match. I request to declare the details of ticket selling because we believe that SCA has given all the match tickets to the BJP people.”
Earlier, he had also unveiled a plan in which he asked thousands of his community members to enter the stadium on match day and launch a protest during the match. In a poignant reply, school children pleaded him not to mix politics with cricket by folding their hands in a traditional Indian gesture.
Both the Indian and South African teams arrived in the city on Thursday and will undertake a final practice session at the ground on Saturday. The 3rd ODI begins on October 18 at 1330 PM IST.