Twitter Reactions: Hardik Patel detained outside Rajkot Stadium

Twitter Reactions: Hardik Patel detained outside Rajkot Stadium: Hardik Patel, who is leading the Patel community’s agitation for quota, was detained on Sunday while protesting outside the Rajkot Stadium, where the third ODI between India and South Africa is being played.

The match was in danger of being disrupted after Patel a local leader had threatened to disallow the smooth proceedings during the game. But heavy security had been put outside the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium to stop any unsavoury incident.

Patel was on Sunday detained by local police about 5km from the stadium in Rajkot. His community the Patel Patidar Samiti has been demanding reservation under OBC quota for the last two months.

In a desperate attempt to draw attention to the Patel quota issue, the local leader had threatened to disrupt the match with slogans of ‘Jai Sardar’ if his supporters were not allowed to enter the venue. He had also said he would not let the Indian and South African cricket teams enter the ground if their demands were not met.

The match, however, started on time, with the police fortifying the city in the wake of the threat and the violence the state witnessed recently over the quota stir.

Mobile internet services had been blocked on Saturday night “to maintain peace, stop rumours and for the smooth conduct of the international cricket match,” District Collector Manisha Chandra had said yesterday. To ensure peaceful conduct of the ODI match, more than 2,000 policemen have been deployed at the stadium, located at Khandheri village on the outskirts of Rajkot city. Mr Patel’s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti had even purchased about 1000 tickets for the match.

Twitter was abuzz with the latest development. While some called it a BJP masterstroke, others said it was a publicity event:

Here are some of the best tweets:

Twitter Reactions: Hardik Patel detained outside Rajkot Stadium

https://twitter.com/DarrKeAage/status/655602212840673280

Heard that Hardik Patel is protesting outside the stadium? Hope de villers hits a six out of the park which directly lands on his face

— Aakash (@PUNchayati) October 18, 2015

10 Overs 60/0. Dear Police, Please Release Hardik Patel Back Again. 😉 #INDvSA #IndvsSA

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) October 18, 2015

Hardik patel should enter the stadium if India in a losing cause @IndvsSA

— Irudaya Raj (@Irudaya1987) October 18, 2015

Harbhajan is "in" only bcz of Hardik Patel. Dhoni- match k bich koi panga ho to sambhal lio bhai pic.twitter.com/ssDj7aCHBv

— Venomous (@ratn3sh) October 18, 2015

https://twitter.com/Sarcaism/status/655676451962929152

After cricket, this is the most played game in Rajkot today. #INDvSA #HardikPatel pic.twitter.com/t4VaOyBGC1

— Raunak (@MeraHandle) October 18, 2015

Looking to Axar Patel playing for team India, the anger of #HardikPatel is justified. #INDvSA

— Thakur Baldev Singh (@HathwalaThakur) October 18, 2015

@ESPNcricinfo Hardik Patel Wants Reservation for himself Why?????
He wants to playing for Today match.

— Siddharth N More (@siddharthmore55) October 18, 2015

no political issue can stand in front of cricket in India. Hardik Patel should dare not interrupt the game. #IndvsSA

— Gaurav Singh (@Singh5705) October 18, 2015

Thanx Hardik bhai for not protesting in the match #HardikPatel #INDvSA

— GUJARAT LIONS (@GujratLions) October 18, 2015

Hardik Patel. 0(1) c. Rajkot Police b. Anandiben.

— M (@mehul88) October 18, 2015

@BCCI south African batsman against spin r jst the same as hardik patel's protest against the Cricket match #INDvSA #patelprank

— Shryas (@shryastar) October 18, 2015

India vs South Africa started before the scheduled time. Hardik Patel was the first to be caught.

— Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) October 18, 2015

Axar patel comes into the attack… will he glitter more than hardik patel?? #AskTheExpert

— Santhosh Arun (@SanthoshArun95) October 18, 2015

https://twitter.com/DeoraRC/status/655678436405448704

Axar Patel is taking revenge of Hardik Patel's arrest.

— Murphy's Law (@itskratika) October 18, 2015

BREAKING: 4th Umpire Hardik Patel detained before the match. #INDvsSA

— Chicken Biryanii (@ChickenBiryanii) October 18, 2015