Following requests from two Patidar socio-religious organisations — Khodaldham and Umiyadham — Patidar quota leader concluded his “fast unto death” on Wednesday. Patel has been fasting for last 19 days since August 25 in demand for Patidar community reservation and farmers’ loan waiver. The government though hasn’t assured anything to Patel so far on either of his demands.
The Patidar quota leader broke his fast after community leaders Naresh Patel and C K Patel offered him lemonade, saying “The fight for quota for my community and farm loan waiver will continue.”
“Hardik was determined to continue his fast. However, we requested him to break the fast and fight against this government. And accepting our demand, Hardik has decided to break his fast through the hands of leaders of Khodaldham and Umiyadham at 3 pm,” Panara was quoted as saying by The Indian Express earlier on Wednesday.
Patel’s fast began at his home near Vaishnodevi Circle in Ahmedabad on August 25. The damands also included the release of PAAS convener Alpesh Kathiriya from the prison. Kathiriya has been put behind the bars following Gujarat government’s slapping of sedition charges against him on August 19.
Many veteran politicians and prominent personalities called on Patel during the fast. The list included Yashwant Sinha, Harish Rawat, Prakash Ambedkar, Jignesh Mevani, Shatrughan Sinha and many others. The Gujarat government didn’t show any interest in any dialogues with Patel per se but it reached out to few leaders of Patidar bodies like Vishv Umiya Foundation’s CK Patel to negotiate which the PAAS refused to do so.
Earlier, Patel declared his wish to donate his eyes while wanted his properties to be distributed among his parents, sisters and families of 14 Patidar youths who lost their lives in 2015 reservation agitation.
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