Hardik Patel, who has been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike from last 14 days, was taken to hospital as his health deteriorated on Friday. Hardik Patel is a leader of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), demanding reservation for Patidar community under OBC category and loan waiver for Gujarat’s farmer.
He was rushed to the hospital when he complained of difficulty in breathing. He has been admitted to the Government Civil Hospital in Sola, after he refused to take water. On Thursday, PAAS activists set a deadline for the BJP government in the state and announced that Hardik would stop taking water if talks were not initiated with him within next 24 hours.
According to the report, Hardik Patel has lost at least 20 kg weight during the course of the last 14 days. Doctors attached to the Sola Hospital had been checking his vitals and had expressed concern on Wednesday, saying that he should get admitted.
Making the announcement at Hardik’s residence on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, PAAS convener Manoj Panara said the government representatives must come to the fast venue and talk to the Patidar leader.
“Hardik’s health is deteriorating, but the government has not shown any intention to find a solution,” said Mr Panara adding that Hardik has lost over 20 kilos in the last two weeks and his kidneys and liver are affected.
In Solidarity of Hardik Patel, several Gujarat Congress leader had also started a 24-hour hunger strike and handed over an ultimatum to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday evening, urging the government to initiate dialogue with Patidar leader to end the deadlock.
Apart from Congress, other opposition parties including Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, DMK, JDS has also supported Patel’s strike and appealed the state government to initiate dialogue. Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha and sulking BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha had also paid to a Hardik Patel visit on Tuesday.
Hardik Patel had started his indefinite hunger strike on August 25, this year.