Following complaints regarding breathlessness, the 25-year-old Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel, who is on indefinite fast agitation seeking reservation for his community, was admitted to a Government hospital by his supporters on Friday early evening.
The convener of pro-quota outfit Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PASS) is fasting since the past 14 days with his demand to avail reservation for his Patidar community in Government jobs and educational institution under OBC category as well as waiver in farmer debts. From Thursday onwards he has stopped taking water and as result of it his health started deteriorating speedily.
Hardik’s close aide Manoj Panara said that PAAS supporters decided to admit their leader after he began to complain about breathlessness. It was necessary to give him treatment before he lost consciousness and went into coma, stated Panara while talking to media persons. PAAS supporters admitted Hardik in the hospital against his wish, he claimed adding that he will continue fast agitation from hospital and would not take either water or solid food.
According to Panara, Hardik stopped consuming water after his deadline for the State Government to initiate ‘talks’ with him ended on Thursday evening. On the other hand State Government representative and Gujarat’s Minister for energy Saurabh Patel said that PAAS never came before the State Government for dialogue, in fact it was leaders of Patidar organisations (religious and social) took initiative and trying to mediate between PAAS and the State Government. The Minister also made a remark that Hardik’s agitation was inspired by the Opposition Congress party.
Hardik, who has been on indefinite strike, had stopped consuming water from Thursday evening after his deadline for State Government to initiate talks with him end without any response. The State Government on its part only once spoke on the fast in past 14 days, with industry minister in Vijay Rupani government dubbing Hardik’s agitation as “Congress-led”. The bedridden PAAS convener also reacted from hospital in social media that the BJP led Government was ignoring demands of Patidar as well as farmers issues.
Sources in the Sola civil hospital where Hardik has been admitted said that a team of 10 doctors including a nephrologist was attending the pro-quota leader. Patel’s blood and urine samples have been taken to check whether the fast has had any impact on kidneys or liver of Hardik, who is said to have lost around 20 kg of weight during the last one fortnight.
On Friday day morning, Rajkot based industrialist who is also heading a religious temple of Patidar community – Khodaldham, had called on Hardik before the PAAS convener admitted to hospital. Naresh during conversation tried to persuade Hardik to end the fast agitation in view of his deteriorating health. After meeting Hardik, the head of Khodaldham temple trust said that people were worrying about Hardik’s health and he should end fasting as representatives all main religious organisations of Patidar community would initiate talks with government to resolve the issues raised by PAAS.