We all should follow spirit of democracy: PM Modi on Patel agitation over OBC status

The ongoing agitation by members of the Patel community took a violent turn after protesters damaged vehicles and police resorted to lathicharge. A curfew has now been imposed in Ahmedabad, Surat and Mehsana districts. This was after a statewide bandh was called to press for the demand by Hardik Patel, who has been leading the agitation. On Wednesday afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a public address, appealing for peace. This is the full text of his message, as put up on the website of the Press Information Bureau- [caption id=“attachment_2408630” align=“alignleft” width=“380” class=" “] File photo. Image courtesy: PTI[/caption] My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Gujarat.  Since yesterday, the type of atmosphere that is building up in the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, the manner in which violence is being used as a tool… we all know that violence serves no purpose. We have always believed that the development of the state is possible only if we all walk together and stay united. It is my appeal to my brothers and sisters that the occasion calls for a single mantra – “peace”. Each and every issue can be resolved through talks. We all should follow the spirit of democracy. We must work together to solve problems through talks and to contribute in efforts to take Gujarat to new heights. This is my humble request to all the brothers and sisters of Gujarat.