Hardik announces ‘last fight’ for quota

Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Friday announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast from August 25 to press for reservation to the community members in government jobs and education.

The 24-year-old activist, who shot to prominence in 2015 with his agitation over the quota issue, vowed to continue his fast till his demand for reservation was met.

In a video message posted on his official Facebook page, Patel said getting reservation for the members of his community was his primary concern. He added that the fast would be his “last fight”.

“This is our last fight. Either I will give my life or we will get reservation. I need your support for this. The fight has come to the last phase.

“Reservation is our primary issue and we will continue to fight for it. From August 25, which is observed as the ‘Patidar Kranti Divas’, I am going to sit on an indefinite fast and will not eat anything until we get reservation,” Patel said, interacting with his supporters via a video-streaming feature on Facebook.

On the same day three years ago, the Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had organised a mega rally here to put forth the demand for reservation to the community members.

The rally had turned violent, leading to a police crackdown on the participants and the eventual detention and incarceration of Patel on sedition and other charges. Around 14 Patidar community members were killed in the violence.