Hardik Patel release put off to Friday

The Patidars in Gujarat are planning a hero’s welcome for Hardik Patel, who is likely to be released from jail on July 15 after jail authorities receive a certified copy of the two bail orders from the High Court in two sedition cases and one rioting case.

Meetings planned

Before moving out of the State in 72 hours, as stipulated by the court, Hardik is likely to visit many places, including places of worship of the Patel community, and address several public meetings.

The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), spearheaded by Hardik to champion quota for the community in education and government jobs, has announced that 11 girl children from different communities would welcome Hardik when he came out of jail in Surat, and he would subsequently walk to garland Sardar Patel’s statue in the diamond city.

“If the authorities give permission, a massive public meeting will also be held in Surat,” said PAAS's spokesperson Varun Patel.

“We are also planning a public meeting in Ahmedabad on Friday evening and the next day, he will reach his home in Viramgam.

After that, Hardik will visit Hanuman temple in Salangpur and then Umiya Dham in Rajkot and Sidsar,” Mr. Patel said.

According to him, on July 17, he will leave Gujarat as per the High Court directive and will himself announce his plan for the next six months.

To visit Delhi, U.P.

Sources in the outfit said Hardik will initially head to Delhi where he will meet several political and community leaders and then visit Uttar Pradesh where Assembly polls are due early next year.