Delhi AAP MLA meets Hardik whose fast continues on day 6

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Delhi, Devinder Kumar Sehrawat, today met Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike here over various issues for the last six days.

Hardik has been fasting at his residence here demanding reservation for his community and loan waiver for farmers.

Talking to reporters, Sehrawat said he met Hardik in his personal capacity as he himself belonged to the farming community and supported his farm loan waiver demand.

"Farmers are suffering the most in our country. In the European countries, farmers are considered as assets and given pension, while in India their income is less than that pension. They are totally neglected. I came here to extend my support to Hardik for taking up farmer's cause," the MLA said.

"Since I belong to the farming community, I came here in my personal capacity. Since most farmers are illiterate, they don't know how to put across their point. That is why they are subjected to such injustice. In 2019 polls, farmers issues will remain at the core," Sehrawat added.

In a statement, Hardik called for a "people's revolution" as he alleged that the BJP government was suppressing the voices of people.

"Gujarat will experience a people's revolution soon. No one can suppress the voices of people. If someone tries to do that, the anger will explode. I am sure that this revolution will decimate this government," Hardik said in a statement.

Irked by the large police deployment outside Hardik's residence near the city, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had yesterday moved the Gujarat High Court seeking a direction to police to allow people to meet Hardik.

However, when the matter came up for hearing today, Justice R P Dholaria recused himself from the case. The matter is likely to be alloted to another judge and will come up for hearing tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a team of doctors from Sola Civil Hospital today conducted various tests on Hardik.

"Hardik is experiencing weakness due to the six-day long fast. Though the doctors wanted to conduct urine and blood tests at regular intervals, Hardik refused to let them do so," said Namita Vadodariya, one of the doctors.

The 25-year-old quota spearhead had launched his hunger strike on August 25, the third anniversary of his mega pro-quota rally in Ahmedabad that had turned violent.