Ahmedabad to honour its forgotten hero

His struggle for achieving democratic liberties, in the wake of the imposition of emergency in the 1970s, has been an inspiration for many. And in keeping with the contributions he made to the society, Girishbhai Patel will be felicitated on May 10 at Town Hall by a committee named after him — Shri Girishbhai Patel Sanman Samiti.

Patel was one of the few lawyers to have had shunned power politics. He took the battle for justice to the high court & SC at his own expense. Without bowing to vested interests, this legendary icon has managed to live and fight for the rights of the poor.

“For all of us, activists working with labours; women; dalits; adivasis and all those marginalised by the society; Patel has been a friend, a mentor, and a refuge,” said Persis Ginwalla, member of the working committee of the Sanman Samiti. Whether as a member of the Gujarat Law Commission or as the principal of the City Law College, Girishbhai has incessantly empathised with the sufferings of the marginalised which has fetched him not only tremendous amount of respect but also this award.   

“All of this is actually a means to further our ongoing struggle for human rights. We must come together to fight for all the atrocities we face as a country. I fight for the common man who is trying to stand in the face of these enormous challenges. My felicitation is not of much importance, it’s this movement for socialism and democracy that deserves the limelight,” said Patel.