Hardik Patel 2.0: May launch stir today after meeting kin of rape victim in Gujarat's Bhavnagar
Hardik will visit the family of the woman from Mandvi village in Bhavnagar district who was raped and murdered in December. He will launch an agitation, demanding strict action against all the accused.
In Short
- He has demanded reservation in govt jobs, educational institutions for Patels and Patidars.
- Hardik Patel, who is facing sedition charges, got out on bail on July 15.
- Hardik attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the khadi calendar controversy.
On his return to Gujarat after six months of externment ordered by the court, activist Hardik Patel is likely to launch his first protest in the BJP-ruled state today. Patel, who is the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), will meet the family of a 50-year-old woman of Mandvi village in Bhavnagar district who was allegedly raped and murdered in December.
Hardik, who has been demanding reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for Patels and Patidars, will visit the village along with his team and launch an agitation demanding strict action against all the accused.
Hardik and his team are scheduled to meet the members of the victim's family in the village and discuss with the police the actual status of the case. If they find that the police are handling the case in a lackadaisical manner, they will launch the agitation.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER MURDER
The woman was found murdered near the village pond on December 1. Later, it was discovered that she was raped before being murdered. The Gujarat government handed over the probe to an IG-rank official after PAAS and state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) decided to launch a stir over the issue.
Also read | Hardik Patel to return to Gujarat on January 17, will address 'massive' rally
Hardik Patel, who is facing sedition charges, was released on bail by the Gujarat High Court on July 15 on the condition that he will stay outside the state for six months, starting July 17. He had been staying in Udaipur in Rajasthan since then.
He returned to Gujarat on January 17 and received a rousing welcome on entering the state.
On his return, the 23-year-old Patidar leader attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the khadi calendar controversy. He also pledged to revive the Patidar-Patel agitation for reservation in the Prime Minister's home state.
HARDIK ADDRESSED RALLY IN AHMEDABAD IN AUGUST 2015
In August 2015, Hardik had addressed a massive rally at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad demanding inclusion of the community in the OBC category for quota benefits.
He was arrested when the rally turned violent killing at least 12 people.
The Gujarat police later charged him with sedition.
Also read | I am the next Sardar Patel, says Hardik Patel
Hardik Patel was in jail in Surat for nine months before he was granted bail.