Gujarat withdraws 74 FIRS against Patidars
AHMEDABAD: Under pressure following relaunch of the Patidar agitation, which the Congress is also supporting, the Anandiben Patel government on Saturday announced to withdraw 74 police cases involving 382 Patidar youths in 18 districts to maintain atmosphere of ‘peace, harmony’ in the state.
However, the sedition charge against Patidar stir leader Hardik Patel and his five aides has not been withdrawn but it might be reviwed soon.
The decision came two days after the government faced intense protest against its ongoing by-yearly agricultural festival Krishi Mohatsav at various places in the state by the Patidar community, which forms the BJPS most comitted vote bank. with the demand of OBC status, this otherwise politically and financially influential community has been at the loggers head with the BJP government since last July.
The Congress too had announced to take out rally in Ahmedabad on January 6 if the cases, including sedition charges against stir leader Hardik Patel, will not be withdrawn.
“Of 457 FIRS, 74 will be withdrawn in the first phase. A further review will be done to take call in connection with rest of the cases” , said Gujarat government spokesperson and health minister Nitin Patel.
All these cases were registered after mobs across state had set ablaze public properties including police vehicles and public buses.
Homes of top ministers including MOS Home Rajnikant Patel was also targeted.
Nitin Patel added that decision was taken by the chief minister after a meeting with community leaders on December 31.
“Decision has been taken to maintain peace and harmony in the state.”