The jailed pro-quota leader and convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) Hardik Patel was admitted to hospital on Friday night after he complained dizziness and weakness.
The 22-year-old PAAS convener is on hunger strike since Thursday reiterating his demand on giving reservation to Patidars in Government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category. Following his complaint, the jail authority immediately shifted him to prison ward of Surat Civil Hospital.
The doctor attending him said that he is fine now. Patel was brought late last night from lajpor Jail and admitted to the prison ward of Civil Hospital, said Mahesh Vadel, Superintendent of Surat Civil Hospital. According to Vadel he had complained of weakness and dizziness and later on the doctors conducted various tests on him and he is found to be alright. However he is under medical observation, he said adding that following the instructions of medical officers, Hardik has agreed on taking water.
After two sedition cases lodged against him, the PAAS leader was sent to jail by the court in September last year. Interestingly his move to go on hunger strike came following his close aide Ketan Patel, Dinesh Bambhania and Chirag Patel shown keenness to compromise with the State government. All his three supporters are in jail in sedition case. Their fathers submitted a letter signed by them to the Chief Minister on Wednesday.
Sources said that the letter didn't have signature of Hardik and he was in no mood to talk with the Government on the issue, hence he decided to go on hunger strike to keep the momentum of pro-quota agitation going.
A committee of Patel community leaders has been formed with the support of members from PAAS and another agitating organisation with the same cause Sardar Patel Group (SPG) headed by lalaji Patel following the letter to resolve the issue amicably. Gujarat Government spokesman and health Minister Nitin Patel said that the State Government would be affirmative to resolve the issue.