Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel today walked out of the Lajpore jail here after nine months of confinement following bail granted to him by the Gujarat High Court, and vowed to continue the agitation, saying he does not want a “56-inch chest, but rights for his community“.

Hardik, after stepping out of jail, told reporters that he has vowed to continue his agitation to get reservation for his community under the OBC quota.

In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ’56-inch-chest’ remark made during the 2014 election campaign, Hardik said, “I want to say that I don’t want height, weight or a 56-inch chest. All I want is rights for my community.”

“Our agitation will continue in the coming days. Our demand for OBC status for Patels is still there. In the coming days, there will be a change in the style of our working, but, our attitude (tevar) will remain the same,” Hardik said.

Last week, the High Court paved the way for the 22-year-old leader’s release after granting him bail in two cases of sedition and a case related to violence at the Visnagar MLA’s office.

While granting him bail in the sedition cases, the HC had set a condition that Hardik would have to stay outside Gujarat for the next six months. In line with the HC direction, Hardik will have to leave Gujarat within 48 hours of his release from jail.

Talking to reporters before embarking on a roadshow with his supporters through Surat city, Hardik warned political parties against taking political benefit from the agitation.

“This agitation is not the property of any political party. No party should think of taking political benefit out of this. This agitation will not stop just because I or someone else wants. It will only end when the Patel community gets its rights,” he said.

According to Hardik, the doors for discussion with the state government are open.

“During the next six months, we will engage in talks with the government on this issue. Our demand is still the same — that is reservation under the OBC quota. When the time comes, we will analyse what we have lost and what we have achieved during the agitation and then respond in a proper manner,” he said.

“In the coming days, we will take a proper decision in the interest of our community. We don’t mind if we have to sit and talk with government to arrive at a solution,” said Hardik, who thanked the judiciary for his release.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW