Hardik Patel resumes taking water

The protest fast of Patidar reservation leader Hardik Patel entered the eighth day on Saturday. Hardik, who had given up water two days ago, resumed intake of water this morning after sadhus of Swaminarayan sect prevailed upon him to do so.

Hardik has lost more than six kilo since he began his protest fast at 3:00 pm last Saturday. He had also stopped taking water from Thursday, which had taken a toll on his health.

Hardik drank water at the hands of SP Swami of Gadhada Swaminarayan, after being convinced that it was necessary for him to continue the fight.

"Hardik has taken water respecting our sentiments. I hope that the state government will hold talks and bring this to a close," the Swaminarayan priest told reporters. After examining Hardik, Dr Pravin Solanki of Sola Civil Hospital advised him to get hospitalised as his blood pressure was low.

Hardik's close aide and Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Manoj Panara criticised the state government for not talking with Hardik, and appealed citizens to fast on Janmashtami in Hardik's support.

A steady flow of visitors continued at Hardik's residence during the day. Senior Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry and state party president Amit Chavda were among those who met him today.

"Hardik is fighting to give voice to his community's demands. The BJP government should talk with him," Chavda said. Rajya Sabha MP Ami Trivedi, and close to a dozen Congress MLAs were among those who visited Hardik.

Apart from politicians, leaders of various Patidar organisations such as Umiya Dham, Sardar Patel Group, and Khodaldham Trust also called upon Hardik on Saturday and offered their support.

Earlier, Hardik wrote on Twitter that his fight was starting to bear results. He claimed that symbolic fasts were being held and Ram bhajans played in 3,250 villages of 67 talukas in the state. In another post, he wrote that more than 50 persons in a village in Bayad taluka of Aravalli had got their heads tonsured in support of his fast.

Hardik went on fast on August 25 to press for reservation for Patidars and farm loan waivers. He sat on the fast at his residence after being denied permission to do so in a public venue in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

HEALTH BLUES

• Hardik lost over 6 kilo since he began his protest fast at 3:00 pm last Saturday. 
   
• He had stopped taking water, which had taken a toll on his health.