Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made an appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and follow the principles of democracy. 

In a special address to the people of Gujarat, Modi condemned the violence that took place in various towns and cities of Gujarat after the mega rally by the Patidar community demanding reservation under other backward class (OBC). 

Violence has gripped the cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Mehsana, Palanpur, and Jamnagar since Tuesday late night as arson and stone pelting and damage to public property continued till Wednesday morning. The exact number of causalities is not known.

"It is disturbing that in the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel people have resorted to violence since last evening. Violence has done no good to anyone ever. I appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace." 

Speaking in Gujarati, the Prime Minister appealed to the people of Gujarat to jointly work towards development of Gujarat and not hamper the peace of the state by resorting to violence. "Every issue can be resolved with talks. I appeal to the people of Gujarat to not to resort to violence. Together, let us be supportive to the growth process that has been initiated," Modi said in his address.

Last night, the Gujarat police had arrested Hardik Patel, convenor of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) from GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad where the police resorted to a lathicharge and injured agitators, including women. However, Patel was released on bail after a couple of hours of detention. 

But the incident triggered a strong reaction from the Patidar community across the state, who took to the streets and started vandalising public property.

After many state transport buses and local transport buses were set ablaze by the mob, the government decided to keep over 6,500 buses off the roads, thereby disrupting public transport between cities.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel also appealed for peace. "We have ordered an inquiry into the lathicharge incident that happened at GMDC Ground. The state government will take strong action against those responsible for that. Let us maintain peace and tranquility in the state and ensure safety. Let us not damage public property," she said in her address.

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