Patidars shift strategy as Hardik Patel is in Jail

GANDHINAGAR: With Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel in jail in a sedition case, the movement demanding reservation to the Patel community is taking an interesting turn in Gujarat. While many observers feel that the movement has all but fizzled out, Patidar activists are shifting the strategy.

While on one hand the activists are trying to internationalise the issue, a significant chunk of the community is now turning against the ruling BJP, spelling trouble for the saffron party ahead of the local body elections in the state.

"We have already written to the British prime minister, requesting him to permit us to stage protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits UK," said Varun Patel adding that the activists have also approached the United Nations as well as national and international human rights commissions with complaints of human rights violations against the community by the Gujarat Police.

Speaking to ET, Patel pointed out that while the father of Hardik Patel has already joined Congress and is urging the community members to rescind their support to BJP, thousands have already moved out of BJP. "Patels would either support independent candidates or Congress but supporting BJP is out of question now," he said.

Meanwhile, the state government is unrelenting in curbing the resistance of the community. "Our boys are being picked up in a routine manner and those who are picked up on lighter charges are released in 24 hours while some are kept for a while, spreading an environment of terror," Patel added.

While Hardik’s meteoric rise had surprised many, several analysts maintained that Hardik’s handling of the movement had been crass and lacked political maturity.