In Gujarat, the Patidars launched a reservation agitation in 2015. This agitation had repercussions across the country including Gujarat. Apart from this, big leaders like Hardik Patel, Gopal Italia, Alpesh Katharia, Reshma Patel also emerged during the agitation. However, during this Patidar reservation agitation, serious crimes including sedition and attempts to disturb peace were registered against many Patidars under various criminal sections. Since then, various Patidar leaders have been demanding the withdrawal of these crimes. But, the crimes were not withdrawn for 10 years of the agitation. However, now after 10 years, these cases have been withdrawn. Which has been confirmed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi.
Harsh Sanghvi confirmed:
Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi said, ‘Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has decided to withdraw 9 cases in which the youth of Gujarat were involved during the Patidar movement. During this time, some incidents took place and the cases that were ongoing in this incident and whose investigation and charge sheet have been completed.’ Talking to the media on the entire issue, Minister Hrishikesh Patel said, ‘Cases have been withdrawn from time to time. Now only about 4 cases are left. Each case has been withdrawn under the judicial process. How many sections are involved in which? The decision has been taken after reviewing how many cases can be withdrawn. This process has taken time. But, cases that could be withdrawn properly and judicially have been withdrawn. Whatever stampede or some incident happened during the Patidar movement was not done for any special purpose. This incident happened out of emotion. When the entire incident was reviewed, it was found that the names of some people who were not involved in this have also come up. Therefore, action has been taken to ensure that the innocent are not punished. This case has been withdrawn under Section 360 of the Indian Penal Code. Hardik Patel wrote on social media X, ‘The cases of serious sedition, including those filed against me and many youth of the society during the Patidar movement in Gujarat, have been withdrawn by the Bhupendra Patel government today. I express special gratitude to the BJP government of Gujarat on behalf of the society.’
