In a great relief to agitating pro-quota Patidars, the Gujarat Government on Saturday decided to withdraw as many as 74 cases related to Patidar agitation.
As many as 457 cases were registered against agitating Patidars from 18 districts across Gujarat since August 25, 2015. “Out of these the State Government has decided to withdraw 74 cases initially. As a result of it 382 persons will be benefitted,” said senior Gujarat Minister Nitin Patel. In the remaining cases, the State Government would take decision in case-to-case basis and related directive has already been given to the State Home department, Patel said, adding that the decision was taken within 24 hours after listening Patidar leaders.
Over the period of time, the Gujarat Police has arrested 1,750 people under different cases related to on-going Patidar agitation. Two main organisations Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti led by 22-year-old Hardik Patel and Sardar Patel Group led by lalaji Patel are spearheading the agitation demanding reservation benefits to Patidars in Government jobs and education under OBC category.
Patel said that out of the arrested 1,750 agitators, only 14 are in the jail and others were on bail. He alleged that the Congress was spreading misinformation saying that hundreds of agitators are in the jail. Those who are still in the jail have filed bail application, but various courts where the cases are being heard have not granted them bail.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki welcome the decision to withdraw cases.
However, sources in the PAAS and SPG said that withdrawal of 74 cases would have little impact in the on-going agitation as their leader and PAAS convener Hardik Patel is still behind the bars.
Political pundits opined that the decision to withdraw the cases was taken in view of forthcoming Assembly elections which would be held in the second half of year 2017. It is well-known fact that agitation of Patidars had deep impact on the results of recently concluded Pachayat polls in the State, they said. It was near rout for the BJP in the State as out of 31 district panchayat the party could win hardly nine and the Congress wrested control in 22 district panchayat.