Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel at his home in Viramgam in Gujarat
A day after 22-year-old Hardik Patel walked out of prison, nine months after he was jailed for sedition in Gujarat jail, he arrived in his hometown Viramgam today to a rousing welcome from family and community members.
Mr Patel, the face of Patidar agitation, was released from Lajpore jail in Surat yesterday. On Saturday, he visited his home in Viramgam in Saurashtra.
In a traditional welcome, Mr Patel's mother and sister applied tilak on his forehead as his elated father looked on. "He's not just my son but son of the entire Patidar community,'' Mr Patel's father Bharatbhai told NDTV.
Hardik Patel, in an interview to NDTV, admitted that the agitation has suffered some impact during his stay in jail but maintained that the momentum will build up.
"We have the plan ready... A blue print is being prepared... a strategy that will see the agitation gaining momentum,'' he said, adding that it would done "non-violently."
Hardik Patel said that the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members will meet shortly to work out a strategy.
On being asked if he would campaign in UP, Mr Patel said that he would go wherever the Patidars, Kurmis are located.
Dismissing the allegations that he had struck a deal with BJP chief Amit Shah, Mr Patel said, "Who is Amit Shah? Does he have that stature."
Hardik Patel is visiting several places in Saurashtra, including Khondal Dham temple which is revered by the Patidar community. On Sunday, he will leave for Udaipur in Rajasthan since as per his bail condition he has to move out of Gujarat.