'My fight for quota will continue': Patidar leader Hardik Patel after breaking indefinite hunger strike

Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has been demanding reservations for the community and loan waiver for farmers, broke his indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday through the hands of Naresh Patel and C K Patel -- leaders of two Patidar socio-religious bodies -- after 19 days. Khodaldham and Umiyadham are highest religious places of Leuva and Kadva Patidars in Gujarat.

Hardik broke the hunger strike even as there were no talks between him and the Gujarat government over the leader's demands for reservation to Patidars and farm loan waiver.

"The fight for quota for my community and farm loan waiver will continue," the quota leader said After ending his fast.  

Hardik had begun his indefinite hunger strike on August 25 at his residence near here, demanding reservationfor Patidars under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) categoryand loan waiver for Gujarat farmers. Later, a demand for release of his aide Alpesh Katheria, who was arrested on charges of sedition, was also added.

Hardik had begun his indefinite hunger strike on August 25 at his residence near here demanding reservation for Patidars under OBC quota. 

Ahmedabad: PAAS leader Hardik Patel breaks his indefinite hunger strike after 19 days. He was demanding reservations for Patidar community and loan waiver for farmers. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/6qjSiCfjEz

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2018

On Tuesday, former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday urged Hardik to end his indefinite fast. Rawat, who was recently appointed as Assam Congress in-charge, had met Hardik at his residence and extended his support.

Several Gujarat Congress MLAs, including Lalit Vasoya and Asha Patel, besides leaders from Patidar community had also met Hardik and urged him to end the fast. 

Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, after meeting Hardik on Tuesday, said time had come for the Parliament to discuss whether the 50% cap on quota can be relaxed.
        
"Nowhere in the Constitution it is written that reservation cannot go beyond 50%. That cap was put by the Supreme Court through a judgment," said the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar.

(With inputs from PTI)