Rediff.com » News
Why the Patels want to be known as Backward
August 29, 2015
India deployed thousands of security forces on Wednesday after clashes between police and affirmative-action protesters from a caste group traditionally known as diamond traders and merchants turned violent, leaving four dead.
The demonstrators from the Patidar community, many of whose members use the surname Patel want India's government to recognize them as a "backward class," a designation that would give them a leg up in getting civil-service jobs, university spots and other benefits.