On the seventh day of his indefinite fast, the health of Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel slipped further, even as popular support for him seems to be going up.
As has been the case since he began his protest fast on August 25, Hardik remained isolated at his residence with a handful of supporters on Friday. He had stopped taking water from Thursday.
The seven days of fasting seems to have taken a toll on Hardik's health as he was unable to even get up on his own. After examining him, doctors from Sola Civil Hospital once again advised Hardik, who has lost over 5 kg weight in the last seven days, to take liquids, but he refused.
Hardik also turned down requests of his supporters from Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Congress MLAs, and sadhus from Gadhada Swaminarayan Temple, who visited him in the evening, to resume intake of water. The Patidar leader wrote on Twitter that he would fight but not accept defeat. "Earlier, I was following the path of Bhagat Singh, but now I m following Mahatma Gandhi's footsteps. Let us see whether its the government that wins or the Mahatma," he wrote.
Meanwhile, in what could be a sign of growing public support for the 25-year-old, protests were held in Gondal in Rajkot, in his support. In Bhavnagar, Patidars made a representation to the district collector after they were denied permission to hold a protest in his support.
In Ahmedabad, Congress workers sang Ram Dhun to pray for Hardik's health. Members of the Muslim community offered prayers at the Ahmedshah Badshah Dargah in Manek Chowk for his well-being. Sadhus of Gadhada Swaminarayan Temple also visited him. Earlier in the day, a number of Congress leaders such as former state party president Arjun Modhwadia, ex-MLA Kanu Kalsaria, MLA Vikram Madam, and others met Hardik, and extended their support. Speaking with reporters, Kanu Kalsaria said that police deployment around Hardik's residence was not in sync with democracy. After the meeting, former Gujarat Congress president Modhwadia targeted the state government for not holding talks with Hardik.
Hardik went on fast on August 25 to press for reservation for Patidars and farm loan waivers.
CONG SLAMS GOVT
- “Central government can hold talks with separatists from North East or Kashmir, and Naxals. If our PM can go uninvited to Pakistan and hold talks with Nawaz Sharif, then why can’t talks happen with Hardik,” former Gujarat Congress president Modhwadia said.
- He also requested BJP government to have a dialogue with Hardik.
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 "Hardik Patel")
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