Hardik Patel's indefinite fast enters day 18; Harish Rawat, Prakash Ambedkar extend support

Ahmedabad: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat Tuesday urged Patidar leader Hardik Patel to end his indefinite fast, which continued on the 18th  day. Rawat, who was recently appointed as Assam Congress in-charge, met Hardik at his residence and extended his support. [caption id=“attachment_4254265” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Hardik Patel. News18[/caption] Talking to reporters after meeting the quota stir spearhead, the senior Congress leader said that he advised Hardik to end his fast and adopt other means of protest to highlight the issues. “I told him that his life is very important for farmers, Patidars and youths of this country. I appealed to him to end his fast. Instead of hunger strike, he can explore other means, such as protests and foot march,” Rawat said. “I suspect that the BJP-led state government is waiting for Hardik’s health to deteriorate. I appeal the community leaders to convince Hardik to end his fast,” said Rawat. Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, after meeting Hardik, said time has come for the Parliament to discuss whether the 50 percent cap on quota can be relaxed. “Nowhere in the Constitution it is written that reservation cannot go beyond 50 percent. That cap was put by the Supreme Court through a judgment,” said the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar. “Today, when various agitations are taking place in the society over this issue, I think the Parliament should hold a debate whether we can relax this 50 percent cap on quota for some years,” Ambedkar added. Meanwhile, several Gujarat Congress MLAs, including Lalit Vasoya and Asha Patel, besides leaders from Patidar community met Hardik and urged him to end the fast. However, Hardik remained firm and continued his fast. Hardik began his indefinite hunger strike on 25 August at his Ahmedabad residence demanding reservation for Patidars under OBC quota and loan waiver for Gujarat farmers.