The ground where Patidar leader Hardik Patel was planning to sit on an indefinite fast from August 25 has been turned into a free parking plot. To reignite the Patidar reservation stir, Hardik and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti had sought permission from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the police to hold their protest at the plot near Sukan Crossroads at Nikol. With the Corporation turning the spot into a free parking space, it is unlikely that Hardik will be given permission to undertake his fast here.
Police sources had also claimed that Hardik is not likely to be granted permission in view of the tension that had gripped the State following the 2015 Maha Kranti Rally at GMDC ground. However, PAAS members announced that they will hold the fast at the spot. “If we do not get permission to hold fast at the plot, we will agitate on the road. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the minister,” said PAAS spokesperson Nikhil Savani.
To combat traffic menace, AMC has been creating parking spaces across the city. Interestingly, most of these plots are paid parking spaces. However, a board outside the Nikol plot invites citizens to park there for free. Residents claim the move is illogical as the area does not face traffic issues due to ample space all around.Congress councillor J D Patel, who lives in Nikol, said, “This area has houses and shops but there’s enough space to park vehicles without obstructing traffic.
Despite this, AMC has turned this ground into a parking lot.” PAAS convenor Jayesh Patel said, “We had sought permission for space for the protest almost 50 days ago. While the AMC did not give us a reply, it has suddenly put up a board at the plot announcing that it is now a parking lot.” Denying ulterior motive, AMC officials said they are not charging a parking fee at the plot as there was less demand for parking space here.
HC on Wednesday stayed a two-year sentence imposed on Hardik Patel after he filed an appeal before the HC. The court has admitted his plea and the matter will come up for hearing soon. Hardik and Patidar leaders Lalji Patel and AK Patel were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 by a Visnagar court for vandalising former MLA Rushikesh Patel’s office in Visnagar town of Mehsana on July 23, 2015. They were later granted bail.
HC issued notices to state government in connection with a PIL seeking to review OBC reservation by constituting Gujarat State Backward Classes Commission. The PIL has been field by Umiya Parivar Visnagar and two other Patidar individuals. “As there is no permanent commission for Backward Classes for Gujarat through legislation, the entire reservation policy for the state needs to be reviewed ,” the PIL stated. “The government has to constitute the commission by passing a legislation as mandated by the SC in the judgement issued in the Indra Sawhney case. Many years have passed and the state has not introduced any legislation. Without it any recommendation of inclusion and exclusion by existing commission is void,” said Vishal Dave, counsel for the petitioners.