Hardik Patel's hunger strike enters Day 9: Police not stopping anyone from meeting Patidar leader, Gujarat govt tells HC

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Friday told the High Court of Gujarat that police are not stopping anyone from meeting quota agitation leader Hardik Patel, who is on indefinite fast at his house in Ahmedabad since 25 August.

Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) has moved the court, alleging that police are not allowing people to meet him.

The PAAS has sought removal of police from outside Patel’s house on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Advocate General Kamal Trivedi on Friday told the court that nobody was being stopped from meeting Hardik.

The petition came up for hearing before Justice AY Kogje, as Justice RP Dholaria had on Thursday recused himself from the case.

PAAS lawyer Babu Mangukia said he had himself seen police preventing people from meeting Hardik, and driving them away from the bungalow.

Police were only allowing lawyers and politicians to go inside, he alleged.

Trivedi said the government will file an affidavit with evidence to prove its claim that nobody was being stopped from going in. Justice Kogje then adjourned the hearing to 4 September.

Hardik Patel started his hunger strike on 25 August for demands of reservation for the Patidar community in jobs and education, and a loan waiver for farmers.