SURAT: A majority of schools and colleges in the diamond hub of Varachha, Katargam and Kapodara remained shut on Thursday as students came out to show their solidarity and support to the fasting PAAS leader Hardik Patel and demanded the release of Alpesh Kathiria.The diamond offices and jewellery showrooms at Choksi Bazaar and Mini Bazaar in Varachha also remained shut after PAAS supporters urged them to support the ongoing indefinite fast agitation of Hardik Patel for quota reservation and waving off the farmers’ loan.The students of J B Dharukawala college in Varachha and Amroli demonstrated outside their college campuses and shouted anti-government slogans. About eight students were detained by the police from Varachha and Amroli colleges on Thursday morning.The protests and demonstrations have been limited to the Patidar-dominated areas like Puna, Kapodara, Katargam and Varachha. After pictures of Hardik Patel being taken to the fast venue on wheelchair went viral, his supporters in Patidar-dominated areas organized prayer meetings for Hardik’s well-being.Member of PAAS Chandresh Kakadia told TOI, “Many colleges and schools in Varachha and Amroli remained shut to show solidarity to Hardik. There were some colleges in city areas like Athwalines, Althan and Vesu where students demonstrated wearing Sardar caps. The entire Patidar community is standing firm with Hardik in his fight for reservation and farmers’ loan waiver .”Kakadia added, “If something happens to Hardik, then his supporters in Surat will go berserk. Now, it is time for the state government to seriously think about resolving our demands. There are many Patidars who are doing token fast in their respective areas to support Hardik.”

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