India’s diamond cutting city of Surat witnessed a massive rally of diamond manufacturers and workers on Monday, reports say. This Patidar rally demanded reservation under OBC (other backward communities) quota, reports add.

All participation was voluntary and saw good attendance of the Patidar community people, reports add. Diamond units in Varachha, Katargam and Mahidharpura remained open on the weekend with the manufacturers deciding to shut shop on Monday to support the rally. Around 85 per cent of Surat’s diamond industry is ruled by the Patels from Saurashtra, reports add.

The demand was towards reservation for the Patidar community youth in government jobs and educational institutions, reports say. Apart from the diamond units, some 15 leading angadiya companies in the city too shut shop in support of the rally. The delivery of rough and polished diamonds from Mumbai was suspended for a day, reports add.

The rally received much support from the Patidar community members of the diamond industry in international locations like Dubai, Antwerp and Hong Kong. Dubai witnessed a rally for the same conducted by a few diamantaires. The estimated loss caused to the industry due to a closure of business in Surat on Monday stood at around Rs 500 crore, reports add.