On 19th day, Hardik Patel calls off his fast

  • | Thursday | 13th September, 2018

This is why I have called off my fast," Hardik said. Hardik ended his fast a day after six influential Patidar religious organisations expressed concern about his deteriorating health and requested him to call it off. Earlier, announcing Hardik's decision to end the fast, his close aide Manoj Panara, said, "Hardik decided to end his fast keeping the Patidar community and community leaders' sentiments in mind. Reacting to the same, deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel welcomed the unconditional end to the fast. Representatives of Sidsar Dham, Samast Patidar Samaj, Sardar Dham, and Vishw Umiya Foundation were also present at the occasion.

Patidar reservation stir leader Hardik Patel, who's been fasting from August 25 to press for Patidar quota, farm loan waiver, and release of PAAS leader Alpesh Kathiria from jail, called off his 19-day-old fast on Wednesday. None of his demands were accepted. Slogans on Patidar unity reverberated as Hardik ended his fast by drinking water, lemonade, and coconut water from the hands of Khodaldham Trust Chairman Naresh Patel, Unjha Dham Chief Prahladbhai Patel, and CK Patel, in the presence of dozens of supporters and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members. Representatives of Sidsar Dham, Samast Patidar Samaj, Sardar Dham, and Vishw Umiya Foundation were also present at the occasion. Hardik ended his fast a day after six influential Patidar religious organisations expressed concern about his deteriorating health and requested him to call it off. "Community leaders and organisations told me that we can fight only if we live, and we will only win if we fight. This is why I have called off my fast," Hardik said. The 25-year-old said that he would continue the fight to press for his demands in the coming days. Reacting to the same, deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel welcomed the unconditional end to the fast. "Hardik has called off the fast on his own. Though delayed, it is a good step. The state government welcomes the decision," he said. Earlier, announcing Hardik's decision to end the fast, his close aide Manoj Panara, said, "Hardik decided to end his fast keeping the Patidar community and community leaders' sentiments in mind. We also appeal other Patidars, who are on fast, to call it off." Panara lashed out at the state government, saying "it did not hold a dialogue with PAAS even once in the 19 days". In response to a question about what the fast had achieved, he said, "Hardik's fast has awakened the 1.5 crore Patidars and 4 crore farmers of Gujarat. People have started questioning the government, and that is his success."

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