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A leader of the Patel community rubbishes reports that the anti-Modi protest has been called off
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on Thursday for a five-day visit to the United States where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly session.
Indian-Americans turned out in large numbers outside the historic hotel -- The Waldorf Astoria -- in mid-town Manhattan, to welcome Modi, as he drove down straight from the airport to hotel.
However, tucked away in one corner was a small group of protestors from the Patel community. "We have not called off the protest. It will continue wherever Modi travels in the US," said Tejas Patel, who claimed to be representing the US Patel community.
He said that the security agents allowed only 10 of them near the hotel. "We are demanding reservations for the Patel community in Gujarat," he added.
But many in the Indian-American community said there was no sign of protest. "It was politically motivated by certain interested sections. The protest has fizzled out," said Jagdish Sewhani, an Indian-American leader.
The enthusiasm among most other India-Americans could not go unnoticed.
Holding banners and posters of 'America Loves Modi', a large number chanted 'Modi, Modi' amid beating of drums, as the PM’s entourage entered the hotel. In his usual characteristic style, Modi came out of his SUV to meet his supporters for a brief moment, before entering the hotel.
In Gujarat, Hardik Patel, 22, is leading an agitation for reservation for the powerful Patel community. His brief detention after a rally in Ahmedabad last month led to violence.