Hardik Patel released after nine months

Hardik Patel will have to leave Gujarat in the next 48 hours New Delhi ,July 15, 2016 Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel walked out of Lajpore Central Jail, Surat Friday amid thousands of supporters lined up since early morning to receive him. Patel was released from the jail after nearly nine months following his arrests in several riotings and two sedition cases. Supporters carried him on their shoulder amid shouts of “Jay Patidar” and “Hardik Tum Aage Badho…Hum Tumhare Saath Hain.” Hardik was taken by the supporters to lead the massive road show organised in Surat city, where Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is also expected to unveil several development projects. Soon after the release, Hardik addressed media in Gujarati and Hindi, briefly saying, “The reservation agitation is the society which will be continued until it is granted.” He said, “Na height chaahiye na body chaahiye, na chhappan inch ki seena chaahiye…hame to bas samaaj ka haqq chaahiye (We want neither height nor body, nor a 56-inch chest… we want only rights for the community).” Also read: Kejriwal launches election campaign in Gujarat He added, “I will continue agitation by a different method but with the same zeal”. Hardik came out of jail in a white kurta, pajama with a white headgear. He straightway proceeded with his supporters and core members of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) for the road show. Among those who received him were Nationalist Congress Party Gujarat chief Jayant Patel. The rally also witnessed several incidents of pickpocketing as people complained of missing wallets, and some of missing jewellery. On July 8, the Gujarat High Court while granting bail in two sedition cases ordered that the 22-year-old leader should remain outside Gujarat for six months from the day he is released from the jail. Subsequently, the High Court in another case of rioting granted him relief. Based on these judgments, Hardik was released from the jail on Friday. Hardik will have to leave Gujarat in the next 48 hours. PAAS members said that on Sunday morning he would shift to Airport Road, Udaipur in Rajasthan as his temporary base. By: Express News Service