Curfew in Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat

Fresh violence erupted in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, claiming seven lives. The Army was called in, 5,000 paramilitary troops were rushed and curfew was clamped to contain the situation rapidly spiralling out of control.

The violence was sparked by the quota agitation by the Patel community led by Hardik Patel, the 22-year-old leader of the Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti. Normal life was paralysed as business establishments, banks and public transport remained closed in most places following the Gujarat bandh call. Schools and colleges will remain shut for the next two days.

Blaming the state machinery for the violence, Mr Patel threatened to intensify the stir. With the situation worsening, the Prime Minister, in a televised speech in Gujarati, appealed for calm and said that the government was committed to the welfare of all people and issues could be resolved peacefully through discussions. “I appeal to all brothers and sisters of Gujarat that they should not resort to violence,” Mr Modi said, adding that the only “mantra” must be “peace”.

The Patel community has been agitating for around a month to fulfil their demand of reservation under the other backward classes (OBC). Violence broke out Mr Patel was arrested on Tuesday night and clashes broke out in various parts of Ahmedabad with cops resorting to lathicharge.