Hardik Patel, the face of Patidar agitation, released from Surat jail.
Highlights
- Hardik Patel released from Surat prison, was in jail since October
- His bail condition says he must leave Gujarat immediately for 6 months
- He led a protest demanding quota for Patel community which turned violent
Hardik Patel, 22, walked out of a prison in Gujarat this morning, nine months after he was jailed for sedition. He has to leave the state for six months, which was a condition for his release.
Mr Patel was arrested in October when his agitation for reservation in government jobs and colleges for the powerful and traditionally prosperous Patels or Patidars turned violent.
"I don't want height, weight or a 56-inch chest. All I want is rights for my community," he declared to the media, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments during the 2014 national election campaign.
Dressed in white and a scarf tied around his head, Mr Patel walked into a crowd of his supporters who fed him sweets before hefting him on their shoulders. Some held up posters that said: "Gabbar is back."
Hardik Patel was arrested in October when his agitation for reservation turned violent.
He has decided to spend his exile at Udaipur in Rajasthan, which is close to Gujarat.
Mr Patel's supporters have planned roadshows as he travels from Surat, where he was imprisoned, to his hometown Viramgam. He has two days to leave Gujarat.
Sources close to Mr Patel, who dramatically held up a sword at public meetings, say he may also spend some time in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the state's crucial election next year. He will focus on mobilising support among the Kurmis, a community like his own.
The Patidars have traditionally been rich; the community prospered from diamond trading and farming, sectors whose returns have greatly diminished in recent years.
Mr Patel's arrest was followed by large-scale arson and violence by his supporters in some of Gujarat's biggest towns.