Not afraid of going behind bars: Hardik Patel ahead of today's hunger strike

Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Friday said that he would go ahead with the indefinite hunger strike from Saturday regardless of denial of permission from the authority or cancellation of his bail. 

Patel said that he would proceed with the fast in jail, in the event of the court canceling his bail, or at home if government authorities deny him a venue for the protest.

"If the court cancels my bail than I am ready to go to jail. I will sit on a hunger strike in jail. I am not afraid of the BJP government or of going behind bars. I am not going to drop my plans out of any intimidation," Patel was quoted as saying by PTI.

Hitting out at the state government, he said, "I am not being allotted a venue (for the fast) because the government is afraid of me. I will sit on hunger strike at my house if need be. However, attempts are being made to stop me from sitting on fast at my house."

Patel was detained by Ahmedabad Crime Branch last week before he was set to take part in a hunger strike.

Hardik and other Patidar leaders were on their way to Nikol assembly constituency of Ahmedabad district when they were detained by the crime branch. The group was intended to take part in a one-day hunger strike over the issue of reservation.

Patel claimed that several national leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee, may come to Gujarat to support him.

"This hunger strike is not a one-day affair. Thousands across the state would sit on fast and it will continue for days. I have also invited people to come to my house to join me in the fast. This is not about me. It is about numerous people" the Patidar leader said.

Earlier this month, Hardik Patel had announced that he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from August 25 at a ground in Nikol area in Ahmedabad demanding reservations for Patidars and loan waivers for farmers.