Even after the Gujarat Government’s move to withdraw 74 cases pertaining to pro-quota agitation of Patels (Patidars) for reservation under OBC category, the Patidar leaders seem unhappy as they have announced to continue agitation till the release of 22-year-old jailed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel.
As per the State Government’s claim, as a result of withdrawal of cases nearly 380 people would get relief. Despite the State Government spokesman Nitin Patel’s assurance of looking into the remaining cases on case-to-case basis in near future, PAAS and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) leaders claimed that when more than 20,000 cases against Patidars were registered, there was no point withdrawing a mere number of 74 cases.
However, as per the State Government record only 457 cases related to Patidar agitation have been registered and 1750 persons were arrested post Maha Rally at GMDC ground on August 25 last year. According to Patel, of these only 14 are in jail others were granted bail.
Meanwhile, SPG convener lalaji Patel blamed the Anandiben Government that the so called soft approach of the State Government was in wake of upcoming school enrolment drive. He said that the Government want to ensure that Patidars would not boycott the annual enrolment drive.
“We have decided from the SPG platform to appeal Patidar parents not to respond the state run enrolment drive the way they made on-going Rabi-Krishi Mela (Winter Agriculture fair) unsuccessful. Patidars would end the agitation only after they get reservation benefits,” he added.
Nearly 100 Patidar students in Surat have decided to boycott education with a demand to release Hardik from jail. They did demonstration at Yogi Chawk in the diamond city and their parents announced that their children would not attend school till the release of PAAS convener.