Hardik Patel on indefinite fast for Patidar quota

Ahmedabad, Aug. 25: Patidar leader Hardik Patel began an indefinite fast at his sprawling farmhouse at Ahmedabad on Saturday to press for quota for the community after the Gujarat government refused permission for various protest venues he had sought.

The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti ( PAAS) leader began the fast at 3 pm in the presence of his supporters and several Congress MLAs after a pooja at his farmhouse, which has been turned into a veritable fortress with the deployment of a huge posse of police personnel, who are frisking everyone entering the premises.

Congress MLAs Lalit Vasoya from Dhoraji constituency, Asha Patel from Unjha, Brijesh Merja from Morbi, Lalit Kagathra from Tankara and Kirit Patel from Patan were present at Hardik Patel’s farmhouse.

Mr Vasoya, a Patidar, said he, along with other Congress MLAs, would sit on a symbolic fast from Sunday. While Mr Patel alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) government in the state had denied permission as it was trying to thwart his agitation, the police said it was done keeping in mind the law- and- order situation.

“Two months ago, we had sought permission to stage protest in the form of an indefinite fast. But we were not granted permission and therefore, we decided to hold it at my residence,” Mr Patel told the reporters.

He alleged that the police had detained 16,000 of his supporters and set up barricades and blockades on the highways leading to Ahmedabad to stall others from joining his fast. However, inspector general of police ( Intelligence) R. B. Bhrambhatt put the number of people detained at 158.

“A widespread violence by anti- social elements was reported on August 25, 2015 after the PAAS was given a permission to take out a rally. Similarly, after a symbolic dharna last week, BRTS buses were burnt in Surat,” he said. “We have denied permission after due diligence,” the IG added.