After getting a rousing welcome in Surat and Ahmedabad following his release from jail, Hardik Patel, who led the Patidar agitation, received a hero's welcome in his hometown Viramgam on Saturday.
Dressed in jeans and white half sleeved shirt, the 23-year-old Hardik reached Viramgam riding atop an SUV with hundreds of cars following him and crowds holding placards with "Gabar is back" written on them.
Congress MLA Tejashriben Patel welcomed him, while thousands of supporters had gathered to get a glimpse of the boy who cheerfully waved shouting "Jay Sardar."
Hardik reiterated to continue the agitation for quota. "If I continue to get your support like this, we will get what we want," he said to loud cheers and shouting from the crowd.
He then headed to meet his parents, sister, and relatives after nine months' incarceration following his arrest in last October. After brief meeting that barely lasted 30 minutes, Hardik left for Sarangpur Hanuman temple, a historic Hanuman temple in Botad district where he will address a Patidar rally tonight.
Besides Sarangpur, Hardik is also scheduled to visit two other religious centres: Khodaldham in Kagwad near Rajkot and Umiya temple in Sidsar, both Patidar community religious places in Saurashtra.
On Sunday afternoon, Hardik will leave for Udaipur where he will be staying for six months as per the Gujarat High Court direction.
