Archive · 24 Aug 2025
Gujarat's Patidar Agitation: A Fight for Reservation and Political Change
In 2015, the Patidar community in Gujarat started protesting, wanting to be recognized as Other Backward Class (OBC) to get more opportunities.
A big meeting in Ahmedabad turned into clashes with the police.
This caused a lot of trouble, and the government had to step in.
The protests changed how people voted in elections.
Leaders like Hardik Patel became well-known and later joined different political groups.
Eventually, the government created a new rule to give some people from the community more chances, and they also stopped some of the legal cases against protesters.
This was the outcome of the community's agitation.
The Patidar community in Gujarat launched an agitation in 2015 demanding OBC status.
The movement gained momentum with a large rally in Ahmedabad, leading to clashes with police and widespread unrest.
The agitation had significant political repercussions, impacting local and state elections.
Key leaders of the movement, including Hardik Patel, later joined different political parties.
The agitation led to the eventual implementation of a 10% EWS reservation and withdrawal of some criminal cases.
- Who
- The Patidar community, led by figures like Hardik Patel and others.
- What
- An agitation for OBC status and related demands.
- When
- 2015, with major events spanning several years.
- Where
- Gujarat, particularly Ahmedabad, Surat, and Mehsana.
- Why
- To secure OBC status and address economic and social concerns.
Agitators
Government
Reservation
Agitators
Demanded OBC status for the Patidar community.
Government
Government initially stated it couldn't grant OBC status.
Criminal Cases
Agitators
Criminal cases against agitators should be withdrawn.
Government
Government initially hesitated to withdraw all cases.
Political Alignment
Agitators
BJP was criticized for not addressing their concerns.
Government
BJP sought to pacify community by providing reservation and bringing agitators into the party.
- Event
- Patidar Anamat Andolan
- Key Demand
- OBC Status and reservation
- Initial Incident
- Visnagar rally violence, August 2015
- Major Rally
- Ahmedabad, August 25, 2015
- Political Impact
- Significant impact on 2017 elections
- Government Response
- 10% EWS reservation
- Key Leaders
- Hardik Patel, Reshma Patel, Varun Patel