Hardik discharged, continues fast

Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has been on a fast for the past 16 days, was discharged from a hospital here on Sunday, but he is continuing his hunger strike at home.

Patel, 25, who heads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), went on the fast on August 25 demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Patidars and loan waiver for farmers.

As his health deteriorated, he was first shifted to the Sola Civil Hospital by his supporters on Friday and later to the privately run SGVP Holistic Hospital. He had continued his fast in the hospital.

Before being discharged, he told his supporters in a Facebook Live message that he would continue the hunger strike from his residence.

He said he was firm on his demands, which include the release of PAAS member Alpesh Kathiriya, who was arrested on the charge of sedition.

He alleged in a tweet that a police officer had threatened to kill him.

In the tweet, he condemned the “attack” on media personnel on the road to his residence on Sunday. Some of them were roughed up and baton-charged by the police.

He said the police deployment reminded him of British Raj and the scene appeared to be one from the “Wagah border”.