Hardik demands release of Patels convicted in 2002 riots cases

Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (PTI) Quota agitation spearhead HardikPatel has demanded the release of Patel youths convicted invarious riots cases of 2002, but alleged that Prime MinisterNarendra Modi would not facilitate it as he now wants toproject himself as a "secular" leader to the world. Patel in a letter to Modi, has listed 102 Patel communitymembers, who have been awarded life imprisonment in differentriot cases of 2002. "Everybody knows that Narendra Modi first became chiefminister of Gujarat taking the benefit of 2002 riots and thenbecome Prime Minister of the country," Hardik Patel said in aletter addressed to Modi accusing him of being responsible forthe carnage. "Many Patidar youths have been sentenced (by courts) inriots cases. I have given a list below," he said in theletter. Patel is at present residing in Udaipur, as he has beenasked to stay outside Gujarat by the State High Court as partof one of his bail conditions. "All these Patel youths are rotting in jails of Gujarat.Modiji is now Prime Minister. He can recommend to thePresident for release of Patel youths involved in riots andget them released," Hardik said in the letter. "But, I know Modiji will not do that as he wants to showthe country and the world that he is a secular person. Modijihas misused Gujaratis and particularly Patidars," Hardikalleged. He then goes on to give a list of various riots casesand number of youths convicted by courts in this connection. A year back, Hardik had started his agitation with ademand for inclusion of his community in the OBC category forreservation. Violence had erupted after he held a mega rally hereon August 25 last year in which government and privateproperty worth crores of rupees were damaged and 11 persons,including one policemen, were killed. Later, he was arrested on sedition charges and spentabout nine months in jail. He was released thereafterfollowing which he formed a new team for his agitation. His old associates like Ketan Patel and Chirag Patel,who were co-accused in sedition case with him have allegedthat the young leader has amassed wealth in the name ofPatel quota agitation. They have also accused him of ruiningthe agitation due to his ambition of becoming a leaderat a young age. PTI PD DKBSARYS