Hardik Patel: Difference between revisions

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
->Apparition11
m (Restored revision 1063444438 by Leoprix (talk): Source says 93)
 
mNo edit summary
 
Line 18: Line 18:




'''Hardik Patel''' (born 20 July 1993) is an Indian politician and activist, currently serving as the [[Working President|Working President of]] [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|Gujarat Congress]] since 2020. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Congress appoints Hardik Patel as working president of Gujarat unit|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-appointed-as-congress-working-president-in-gujarat-6501117/|access-date=2021-09-11|website=The Indian Express|date=12 July 2020|language=en}}</ref>
'''Hardik Patel''' (born 20 July 1993) is an Indian politician and activist, currently serving as the Working President of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|Gujarat Congress]] since 2020. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Congress appoints Hardik Patel as working president of Gujarat unit|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-appointed-as-congress-working-president-in-gujarat-6501117/|access-date=2021-09-11|website=The Indian Express|date=12 July 2020|language=en}}</ref>
 
==Early life ==
==Early life ==
Hardik Patel was born on 20 July 1993<ref name="hardik_cnn_2015-08-24"/> in a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Patel]] family to Bharat and Usha Patel. In 2004, his parents moved to [[Viramgam]]. Hardik studied from Class VI to Class VIII at Divya Jyot School in Viramgam, before moving to K B Shah Vinay Mandir, where he studied until Class XII. He was a poor student and a [[cricket]] enthusiast.<ref name="hardik_toi_2015-08-27">{{cite news | title = A budding cricketer who changed his line | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/toi-cri/top-stories/A-budding-cricketer-who-changed-his-line/articleshow/48691604.cms | author = Roxy Gagdekar | work = Mumbai Mirror | publisher = Times of India | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> After completing Class XII, Hardik started helping his father, Bharat, to run a small business of fixing [[submersible pump]]s in underground water wells. Bharat was a [[Congress]] worker.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27">{{cite news | title = Well-funded, organized and massive: Who's behind Hardik Patel's war machine? | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Well-funded-organized-and-massive-Whos-behind-Hardik-Patels-war-machine/articleshow/48688836.cms | publisher = Times of India | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>
Hardik Patel was born on 20 July 1993<ref name="hardik_cnn_2015-08-24"/> in a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Patel]] family to Bharat and Usha Patel. In 2004, his parents moved to [[Viramgam]]. Hardik studied from Class VI to Class VIII at Divya Jyot School in Viramgam, before moving to K B Shah Vinay Mandir, where he studied until Class XII. He was a poor student and a [[cricket]] enthusiast.<ref name="hardik_toi_2015-08-27">{{cite news | title = A budding cricketer who changed his line | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/toi-cri/top-stories/A-budding-cricketer-who-changed-his-line/articleshow/48691604.cms | author = Roxy Gagdekar | work = Mumbai Mirror | publisher = Times of India | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> After completing Class XII, Hardik started helping his father, Bharat, to run a small business of fixing [[submersible pump]]s in underground water wells. Bharat was a [[Congress]] worker.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27">{{cite news | title = Well-funded, organized and massive: Who's behind Hardik Patel's war machine? | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Well-funded-organized-and-massive-Whos-behind-Hardik-Patels-war-machine/articleshow/48688836.cms | publisher = Times of India | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>


In 2010, Patel joined Sahajanand College, [[Ahmedabad]]. He ran for the post of general secretary of the college [[students' union]] and was elected unopposed.<ref name="hardik_ie_2015-08-30">{{cite news | title = Sunday Story: The Angry Young Patel | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sunday-story-the-angry-young-patel/ | author = Parimal Dabhi | publisher = Indian Express | date = 30 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> In 2013, he received Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com.) degree.<ref name="hardik_toi_2015-08-25">{{cite news | title = Who is Hardik Patel | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Who-is-Hardik-Patel/listshow/48663994.cms | publisher = Times of India | date = 25 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31">{{cite news | title = Caste Quotas in India Come Under Attack | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/world/asia/caste-quotas-in-india-come-under-attack.html | author = David Barstow and Suhasini Raj | work = New York Times | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>
In 2010, Patel joined Sahajanand College, [[Ahmedabad]]. He ran for the post of general secretary of the college [[students' union]] and was elected unopposed.<ref name="hardik_ie_2015-08-30">{{cite news | title = Sunday Story: The Angry Young Patel | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sunday-story-the-angry-young-patel/ | author = Parimal Dabhi | publisher = Indian Express | date = 30 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> In 2013, he received Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com.) degree.<ref name="hardik_toi_2015-08-25">{{cite news | title = Who is Hardik Patel | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Who-is-Hardik-Patel/listshow/48663994.cms | publisher = Times of India | date = 25 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31">{{cite news | title = Caste Quotas in India Come Under Attack | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/world/asia/caste-quotas-in-india-come-under-attack.html | author = David Barstow and Suhasini Raj | work = New York Times | date = 27 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>
== Career ==
== Career ==
=== Social and political activism===
=== Social and political activism===
On 31 October 2012 Hardik Patel joined the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), a [[Patidar]] youth body, and within less than a month, became president of its Viramgam unit.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27"/><ref name="hardik_ie_2015-09-02">{{cite news | title = Lalji Patel: 'I let Hardik run social media, he made it seem he was the leader' | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/lalji-patel-i-let-hardik-run-social-media-he-made-it-seem-he-was-the-leader/ | author = Leena Misra, Parimal Dabhi | publisher = Indian Express | date = 2 September 2015 | access-date = 2 September 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Hardik Patel was ousted from his post with the SPG after a conflict with its leader, Lalji Patel.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27" />
On 31 October 2012 Hardik Patel joined the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), a [[Patidar]] youth body, and within less than a month, became president of its Viramgam unit.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27"/><ref name="hardik_ie_2015-09-02">{{cite news | title = Lalji Patel: 'I let Hardik run social media, he made it seem he was the leader' | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/lalji-patel-i-let-hardik-run-social-media-he-made-it-seem-he-was-the-leader/ | author = Leena Misra, Parimal Dabhi | publisher = Indian Express | date = 2 September 2015 | access-date = 2 September 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Hardik Patel was ousted from his post with the SPG after a conflict with its leader, Lalji Patel.<ref name="hardik_wm_toi_2015-08-27" />
Line 32: Line 29:
In July 2015 Patel's sister, Monica, failed to qualify for a state government scholarship. He was upset when Monica's friend qualified for the same scholarship through the [[Other Backward Class]] (OBC) quota even though she had scored lower marks.<ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31"/> Recognizing that affirmative policies were benefiting other castes but not Patidars, Patel formed the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which claim itself as an apolitical organization that aims to get Patidars included in the OBC quota.<ref name="hardik_ie_2015-08-31b">{{cite news | title = Patel quota protest: Rally in Madhya Pradesh today, Hardik Patel lays out pan-India agitation plan | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/patel-quota-stir-rally-in-madhya-pradesh-today-hardik-lays-out-pan-india-agitation-plan/ | publisher = Indian Express | date = 31 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="hardik_ht_2015-08-31">{{cite news | title = Hardik Patel wants his protest to go India-wide | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-in-delhi-says-political-parties-not-welcome-in-quota-stir/article1-1385674.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150830070850/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-in-delhi-says-political-parties-not-welcome-in-quota-stir/article1-1385674.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 August 2015 | author = Saubhadra Chatterji & Mallica Joshi | publisher = Hindustan Times | date = 31 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>
In July 2015 Patel's sister, Monica, failed to qualify for a state government scholarship. He was upset when Monica's friend qualified for the same scholarship through the [[Other Backward Class]] (OBC) quota even though she had scored lower marks.<ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31"/> Recognizing that affirmative policies were benefiting other castes but not Patidars, Patel formed the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which claim itself as an apolitical organization that aims to get Patidars included in the OBC quota.<ref name="hardik_ie_2015-08-31b">{{cite news | title = Patel quota protest: Rally in Madhya Pradesh today, Hardik Patel lays out pan-India agitation plan | url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/patel-quota-stir-rally-in-madhya-pradesh-today-hardik-lays-out-pan-india-agitation-plan/ | publisher = Indian Express | date = 31 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="hardik_ht_2015-08-31">{{cite news | title = Hardik Patel wants his protest to go India-wide | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-in-delhi-says-political-parties-not-welcome-in-quota-stir/article1-1385674.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150830070850/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-in-delhi-says-political-parties-not-welcome-in-quota-stir/article1-1385674.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 August 2015 | author = Saubhadra Chatterji & Mallica Joshi | publisher = Hindustan Times | date = 31 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Akhilesh_and_Hardik.jpg|thumb|Hardik Patel meets Former CM of Uttar Pradesh [[Akhilesh Yadav]] in Bhopal in 2018.]]
[[File:Akhilesh_and_Hardik.jpg|thumb|Hardik Patel meets Former CM of Uttar Pradesh [[Akhilesh Yadav]] in Bhopal in 2018.]]
With support of PAAS, Patel led the [[Patidar reservation agitation]] starting July 2015.<ref name="hardik_th_2015-08-25">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/get-rid-of-reservation-or-make-everyone-its-slave-says-hardik-patel/article7587411.ece|title=Get rid of quota or make all its slave, says leader of Patel group|author=Mahesh Langa|date=28 August 2015|access-date=31 August 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="hardik_bbc_2015-08-26">{{cite news | title = Hardik Patel: Face of Gujarat caste protests | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34065338 | author = Geeta Pandey | publisher = BBC | date = 26 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> He organized several rallies across Gujarat.<ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31"/><ref name="hardik_bbc_2015-08-26"/> On 25 August 2015, a large number of Patidars from all over Gujarat gathered at GMDC ground, Ahmedabad for a rally. That evening, he was briefly arrested by [[Ahmedabad City Police]] when he went on fast after a rally held earlier in the day had dispersed.<ref name="hardik_bs_2015-08-25">{{cite news | title = Patidar rally youth leader Hardik Patel arrested in Ahmedabad | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/patidar-rally-youth-leader-hardik-patel-arrested-in-ahmedabad-115082501394_1.html | publisher = Business Standard | date = 25 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> Violent protests broke out in response, forcing the [[Government of Gujarat|Gujarat state government]] to impose a [[curfew]] and call in the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="hardik_time_2015-08-26">{{cite news | title = Riots Break Out in India Over a Dominant Caste's Attempt to Gain 'Backward' Status | url = http://time.com/4011001/hardik-patel-protest-arrest-gujarat-obc/ | author = Rishi Iyengar | publisher = Time Magazine | date = 26 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> He continues to lead the agitation. Hardik Patel was arrested again on 18 January 2020 for failing to appear before a trial court here in a 2015 sedition case, hours after a warrant was issued against him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/congress-leader-hardik-patel-arrested-for-evading-sedition-case-trial/1827668/|title=Congress leader Hardik Patel arrested for evading sedition case trial|date=2020-01-18|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>
With support of PAAS, Patel led the [[Patidar reservation agitation]] starting July 2015.<ref name="hardik_th_2015-08-25">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/get-rid-of-reservation-or-make-everyone-its-slave-says-hardik-patel/article7587411.ece|title=Get rid of quota or make all its slave, says leader of Patel group|author=Mahesh Langa|date=28 August 2015|access-date=31 August 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="hardik_bbc_2015-08-26">{{cite news | title = Hardik Patel: Face of Gujarat caste protests | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34065338 | author = Geeta Pandey | publisher = BBC | date = 26 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> He organized several rallies across Gujarat.<ref name="hardik_nyt_2015-08-31"/><ref name="hardik_bbc_2015-08-26"/> On 25 August 2015, a large number of Patidars from all over Gujarat gathered at GMDC ground, Ahmedabad for a rally. That evening, he was briefly arrested by [[Ahmedabad City Police]] when he went on fast after a rally held earlier in the day had dispersed.<ref name="hardik_bs_2015-08-25">{{cite news | title = Patidar rally youth leader Hardik Patel arrested in Ahmedabad | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/patidar-rally-youth-leader-hardik-patel-arrested-in-ahmedabad-115082501394_1.html | publisher = Business Standard | date = 25 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> Violent protests broke out in response, forcing the [[Government of Gujarat|Gujarat state government]] to impose a [[curfew]] and call in the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="hardik_time_2015-08-26">{{cite news | title = Riots Break Out in India Over a Dominant Caste's Attempt to Gain 'Backward' Status | url = http://time.com/4011001/hardik-patel-protest-arrest-gujarat-obc/ | author = Rishi Iyengar | publisher = Time Magazine | date = 26 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}</ref> He continues to lead the agitation. Hardik Patel was arrested again on 18 January 2020 for failing to appear before a trial court here in a 2015 sedition case, hours after a warrant was issued against him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/congress-leader-hardik-patel-arrested-for-evading-sedition-case-trial/1827668/|title=Congress leader Hardik Patel arrested for evading sedition case trial|date=2020-01-18|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>
===Politics===
===Politics===
Patel backed the campaign of the Indian National Congress in [[2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2017 Gujarat legislative assembly election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/buzz-in-delhi-hardik-and-sena-share-common-goals|title=Buzz in Delhi: Hardik and Sena share common goals|website=National Herald|date=23 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/congress-promises-to-bring-legislation-for-patidar-reservation-without-altering-obc-share-of-quota-4242091.html |title=Congress promises to bring legislation for Patidar reservation, without altering OBC share of quota |work=firstpost.com |date=2017-12-04}}</ref> On 12 March 2019, he joined Indian National Congress.<ref name="NDTV_HardikJoinedINC">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-joins-congress-in-presence-of-rahul-gandhi-2006417|title=Patidar Leader Hardik Patel Joins Congress In Presence Of Rahul Gandhi|date=12 March 2019|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/hardik-patel-joins-congress-in-ahmedabad20190312175551/|title=Hardik Patel joins Congress in Ahmedabad|website=aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> But he did not contest the [[2019 Indian general election]] because of his conviction of the rioting offence in [[Mehsana]] in 2015 which barred him from contesting.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
Patel backed the campaign of the Indian National Congress in [[2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2017 Gujarat legislative assembly election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/buzz-in-delhi-hardik-and-sena-share-common-goals|title=Buzz in Delhi: Hardik and Sena share common goals|website=National Herald|date=23 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/congress-promises-to-bring-legislation-for-patidar-reservation-without-altering-obc-share-of-quota-4242091.html |title=Congress promises to bring legislation for Patidar reservation, without altering OBC share of quota |work=firstpost.com |date=2017-12-04}}</ref> On 12 March 2019, he joined Indian National Congress.<ref name="NDTV_HardikJoinedINC">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-joins-congress-in-presence-of-rahul-gandhi-2006417|title=Patidar Leader Hardik Patel Joins Congress In Presence Of Rahul Gandhi|date=12 March 2019|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/hardik-patel-joins-congress-in-ahmedabad20190312175551/|title=Hardik Patel joins Congress in Ahmedabad|website=aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> But he did not contest the [[2019 Indian general election]] because of his conviction of the rioting offence in [[Mehsana]] in 2015 which barred him from contesting.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}


Patel's close aides Chirag Patel and Ketan Patel have alleged him of misusing Patidar community's fund for living a "luxurious" life.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Aides-turn-against-Hardik-Patel-accuse-him-of-misusing-communitys-money/articleshow/53821373.cms|title=Aides turn against Hardik Patel, accuse him of misusing community's money |newspaper=The Times of India|date=23 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/hardik-patel-became-crorepati-within-a-year-of-launching-patidar-quota-stir-former-associates-2971338.html|title=Hardik Patel became crorepati within a year of launching Patidar quota stir: Former associates – Firstpost|date=23 August 2016|newspaper=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-used-quota-stir-to-become-leader-amass-wealth-ex-aides/story-8PNogUYyg6GXZU9eDlbvcJ.html|title=Hardik Patel used quota stir to become leader, amass wealth: Ex-aides|date=23 August 2016|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
Patel's close aides Chirag Patel and Ketan Patel have alleged him of misusing Patidar community's fund for living a "luxurious" life.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Aides-turn-against-Hardik-Patel-accuse-him-of-misusing-communitys-money/articleshow/53821373.cms|title=Aides turn against Hardik Patel, accuse him of misusing community's money |newspaper=The Times of India|date=23 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/hardik-patel-became-crorepati-within-a-year-of-launching-patidar-quota-stir-former-associates-2971338.html|title=Hardik Patel became crorepati within a year of launching Patidar quota stir: Former associates – Firstpost|date=23 August 2016|newspaper=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hardik-patel-used-quota-stir-to-become-leader-amass-wealth-ex-aides/story-8PNogUYyg6GXZU9eDlbvcJ.html|title=Hardik Patel used quota stir to become leader, amass wealth: Ex-aides|date=23 August 2016|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
Line 45: Line 40:


He was appointed the Working President of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] on 11 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/politics/hardik-patel-appointed-working-president-of-congresss-gujarat-unit-with-immediate-effect-2711865.html|title = Hardik Patel Appointed Working President of Congress's Gujarat Unit with Immediate Effect}}</ref>
He was appointed the Working President of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] on 11 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/politics/hardik-patel-appointed-working-president-of-congresss-gujarat-unit-with-immediate-effect-2711865.html|title = Hardik Patel Appointed Working President of Congress's Gujarat Unit with Immediate Effect}}</ref>
== Legal cases ==
== Legal cases ==
On 18 October 2015, Patel was booked for insulting the [[National Flag of India]], in a case registered in [[Rajkot]]. He was briefly detained for trying to disrupt the one-day international (ODI) [[cricket]] match between India and South Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hardik-patel-detained-near-rajkot-cricket-stadium-ahead-of-protest-meet-1233541|title='Tricolour in a case' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition|date=18 October 2015|work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> On 19 October 2015, Patel was booked in [[Surat]] under the charges of sedition over alleged remarks about 'killing cops'. Subsequently, he was imprisoned.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kill-cops-remarks-Hardik-Patel-booked-for-sedition/articleshow/49447677.cms|title='Kill cops' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition|date=19 October 2015|work=[[Timesofindia]]}}</ref> On 15 July 2016, Patel was granted bail on the condition that he would stay out of the state for six months and out of Mehsana for nine months. He moved to [[Udaipur]] for this period.<ref name="hkbail">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/hardik-patel-bail-rioting-case-patidar-agitation-2907301/|title=Patidar leader Hardik Patel gets conditional bail in rioting case|date=11 July 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=4 August 2016}}</ref>
On 18 October 2015, Patel was booked for insulting the [[National Flag of India]], in a case registered in [[Rajkot]]. He was briefly detained for trying to disrupt the one-day international (ODI) [[cricket]] match between India and South Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hardik-patel-detained-near-rajkot-cricket-stadium-ahead-of-protest-meet-1233541|title='Tricolour in a case' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition|date=18 October 2015|work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> On 19 October 2015, Patel was booked in [[Surat]] under the charges of sedition over alleged remarks about 'killing cops'. Subsequently, he was imprisoned.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kill-cops-remarks-Hardik-Patel-booked-for-sedition/articleshow/49447677.cms|title='Kill cops' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition|date=19 October 2015|work=[[Timesofindia]]}}</ref> On 15 July 2016, Patel was granted bail on the condition that he would stay out of the state for six months and out of Mehsana for nine months. He moved to [[Udaipur]] for this period.<ref name="hkbail">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/hardik-patel-bail-rioting-case-patidar-agitation-2907301/|title=Patidar leader Hardik Patel gets conditional bail in rioting case|date=11 July 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=4 August 2016}}</ref>


On 25 July 2018, Patel was found guilty of rioting, arson, damage to property and unlawful assembly. The three were fined Rs. 50,000 apart from the two-year imprisonment<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hardik-patel-patidar-quota-agitation-leader-held-guilty-by-gujarat-court-in-a-2015-rioting-case-1889337|title=In 2015 Gujarat Rioting Case|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Shifa Naseer |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/story/gujarat-hc-rejects-hardik-patel-plea-stay-conviction-mehsana-rioting-case-cant-contest-lok-sabha-elections-1489501-2019-03-29 |title=Gujarat HC rejects Hardik Patel's plea to stay conviction in Mehsana rioting case, can't contest polls |work=Indiatoday.in |date=2019-03-29}}</ref>
On 25 July 2018, Patel was found guilty of rioting, arson, damage to property and unlawful assembly. The three were fined Rs. 50,000 apart from the two-year imprisonment<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hardik-patel-patidar-quota-agitation-leader-held-guilty-by-gujarat-court-in-a-2015-rioting-case-1889337|title=In 2015 Gujarat Rioting Case|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Shifa Naseer |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha-2019/story/gujarat-hc-rejects-hardik-patel-plea-stay-conviction-mehsana-rioting-case-cant-contest-lok-sabha-elections-1489501-2019-03-29 |title=Gujarat HC rejects Hardik Patel's plea to stay conviction in Mehsana rioting case, can't contest polls |work=Indiatoday.in |date=2019-03-29}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Hardik Patel married his childhood friend Kinjal Parikh on 27 January 2019 in Digsar of Muli taluka, [[Surendranagar district]], Gujarat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-married-to-childhood-friend-kinjal-parikh/story-P6mSXdAWMaSunEc7KC7joN.html|title=Patidar leader Hardik Patel married to childhood friend Kinjal Parikh|date=2019-01-27|work=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/hardik-patel-gets-married-to-childhood-friend-says-wife-will-aid-in-fight-for-patidar-rights-2015805.html|title=Hardik Patel Gets Married to Childhood Friend, Says Wife Will Help in Fight for Patidar Rights|website=News18|date=27 January 2019|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>
Hardik Patel married his childhood friend Kinjal Parikh on 27 January 2019 in Digsar of Muli taluka, [[Surendranagar district]], Gujarat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patidar-leader-hardik-patel-married-to-childhood-friend-kinjal-parikh/story-P6mSXdAWMaSunEc7KC7joN.html|title=Patidar leader Hardik Patel married to childhood friend Kinjal Parikh|date=2019-01-27|work=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/hardik-patel-gets-married-to-childhood-friend-says-wife-will-aid-in-fight-for-patidar-rights-2015805.html|title=Hardik Patel Gets Married to Childhood Friend, Says Wife Will Help in Fight for Patidar Rights|website=News18|date=27 January 2019|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Patel, Hardik}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Patel, Hardik}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:1993 births]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 23 January 2022


Hardik Patel
File:Hardik-paterl 20180219 400 600.jpg
Patel in 2018
Working President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee
Assumed office
11 July 2020
Personal details
Born (1993-07-20) 20 July 1993 (age 31)[1]
Viramgam, Gujarat, India
Political partyIndian National Congress (2019–present)
Spouse(s)
Kinjal Patel
(
m. 2019)
Known forSocial movement for equality in Education and Government Jobs.
Websitehardikpatel.club


Hardik Patel (born 20 July 1993) is an Indian politician and activist, currently serving as the Working President of Gujarat Congress since 2020. [2]

Early life[edit]

Hardik Patel was born on 20 July 1993[1] in a Gujarati Patel family to Bharat and Usha Patel. In 2004, his parents moved to Viramgam. Hardik studied from Class VI to Class VIII at Divya Jyot School in Viramgam, before moving to K B Shah Vinay Mandir, where he studied until Class XII. He was a poor student and a cricket enthusiast.[3] After completing Class XII, Hardik started helping his father, Bharat, to run a small business of fixing submersible pumps in underground water wells. Bharat was a Congress worker.[4]

In 2010, Patel joined Sahajanand College, Ahmedabad. He ran for the post of general secretary of the college students' union and was elected unopposed.[5] In 2013, he received Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com.) degree.[6][7]

Career[edit]

Social and political activism[edit]

On 31 October 2012 Hardik Patel joined the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), a Patidar youth body, and within less than a month, became president of its Viramgam unit.[4][8] In 2015, Hardik Patel was ousted from his post with the SPG after a conflict with its leader, Lalji Patel.[4]

In July 2015 Patel's sister, Monica, failed to qualify for a state government scholarship. He was upset when Monica's friend qualified for the same scholarship through the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota even though she had scored lower marks.[7] Recognizing that affirmative policies were benefiting other castes but not Patidars, Patel formed the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which claim itself as an apolitical organization that aims to get Patidars included in the OBC quota.[9][10]

File:Akhilesh and Hardik.jpg
Hardik Patel meets Former CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav in Bhopal in 2018.

With support of PAAS, Patel led the Patidar reservation agitation starting July 2015.[11][12] He organized several rallies across Gujarat.[7][12] On 25 August 2015, a large number of Patidars from all over Gujarat gathered at GMDC ground, Ahmedabad for a rally. That evening, he was briefly arrested by Ahmedabad City Police when he went on fast after a rally held earlier in the day had dispersed.[13] Violent protests broke out in response, forcing the Gujarat state government to impose a curfew and call in the Indian Army.[14] He continues to lead the agitation. Hardik Patel was arrested again on 18 January 2020 for failing to appear before a trial court here in a 2015 sedition case, hours after a warrant was issued against him.[15]

Politics[edit]

Patel backed the campaign of the Indian National Congress in 2017 Gujarat legislative assembly election.[16][17] On 12 March 2019, he joined Indian National Congress.[18][19] But he did not contest the 2019 Indian general election because of his conviction of the rioting offence in Mehsana in 2015 which barred him from contesting.[citation needed]

Patel's close aides Chirag Patel and Ketan Patel have alleged him of misusing Patidar community's fund for living a "luxurious" life.[20][21][22]

In November 2017, a sex tape of Patel was released on social media and went viral. Patel said that he was a victim of dirty politics and the video only proved that he is not impotent.[23][24][25][26]

During campaigning for the 2019 Indian general election he made comments against people of Nepal which were described as racist while targeting incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[27]

He was appointed the Working President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee on 11 July 2020.[28]

Legal cases[edit]

On 18 October 2015, Patel was booked for insulting the National Flag of India, in a case registered in Rajkot. He was briefly detained for trying to disrupt the one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and South Africa.[29] On 19 October 2015, Patel was booked in Surat under the charges of sedition over alleged remarks about 'killing cops'. Subsequently, he was imprisoned.[30] On 15 July 2016, Patel was granted bail on the condition that he would stay out of the state for six months and out of Mehsana for nine months. He moved to Udaipur for this period.[31]

On 25 July 2018, Patel was found guilty of rioting, arson, damage to property and unlawful assembly. The three were fined Rs. 50,000 apart from the two-year imprisonment[32][33]

Personal life[edit]

Hardik Patel married his childhood friend Kinjal Parikh on 27 January 2019 in Digsar of Muli taluka, Surendranagar district, Gujarat.[34][35]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Meghdoot Sharon (24 August 2015). "Meet 22 year-old Hardik Patel, the face of Patel agitation in Gujarat". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Congress appoints Hardik Patel as working president of Gujarat unit". The Indian Express. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Roxy Gagdekar (27 August 2015). "A budding cricketer who changed his line". Mumbai Mirror. Times of India. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Well-funded, organized and massive: Who's behind Hardik Patel's war machine?". Times of India. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Parimal Dabhi (30 August 2015). "Sunday Story: The Angry Young Patel". Indian Express. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Who is Hardik Patel". Times of India. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 David Barstow and Suhasini Raj (27 August 2015). "Caste Quotas in India Come Under Attack". New York Times. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Leena Misra, Parimal Dabhi (2 September 2015). "Lalji Patel: 'I let Hardik run social media, he made it seem he was the leader'". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "Patel quota protest: Rally in Madhya Pradesh today, Hardik Patel lays out pan-India agitation plan". Indian Express. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Saubhadra Chatterji & Mallica Joshi (31 August 2015). "Hardik Patel wants his protest to go India-wide". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 30 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Mahesh Langa (28 August 2015). "Get rid of quota or make all its slave, says leader of Patel group". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Geeta Pandey (26 August 2015). "Hardik Patel: Face of Gujarat caste protests". BBC. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Patidar rally youth leader Hardik Patel arrested in Ahmedabad". Business Standard. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Rishi Iyengar (26 August 2015). "Riots Break Out in India Over a Dominant Caste's Attempt to Gain 'Backward' Status". Time Magazine. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Congress leader Hardik Patel arrested for evading sedition case trial". The Financial Express. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  16. ↑ "Buzz in Delhi: Hardik and Sena share common goals". National Herald. 23 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "Congress promises to bring legislation for Patidar reservation, without altering OBC share of quota". firstpost.com. 4 December 2017.
  18. ↑ "Patidar Leader Hardik Patel Joins Congress In Presence Of Rahul Gandhi". NDTV. 12 March 2019.
  19. ↑ "Hardik Patel joins Congress in Ahmedabad". aninews.in. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  20. ↑ "Aides turn against Hardik Patel, accuse him of misusing community's money". The Times of India. 23 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Hardik Patel became crorepati within a year of launching Patidar quota stir: Former associates – Firstpost". Firstpost. 23 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "Hardik Patel used quota stir to become leader, amass wealth: Ex-aides". Hindustan Times. 23 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "Hardik Patel on sex CD: I am yet to marry and I am not impotent". India Today.
  24. ↑ "Days after Hardik Patel's premonition, alleged sex tape of Patel agitation leader surfaces". dna. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  25. ↑ "Hardik Patel's alleged sex tape goes viral, Patel quota leader says BJP playing dirty politics". Zee News. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  26. ↑ "Hardik Patel's Alleged Sex Tape Rocks Patidar Movement in Gujarat". The Quint. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  27. ↑ Saumya, Trivedi (23 April 2019). "Times Now". Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  28. ↑ "Hardik Patel Appointed Working President of Congress's Gujarat Unit with Immediate Effect".
  29. ↑ "'Tricolour in a case' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition". NDTV. 18 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "'Kill cops' remarks: Hardik Patel booked for sedition". Timesofindia. 19 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "Patidar leader Hardik Patel gets conditional bail in rioting case". The Indian Express. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "In 2015 Gujarat Rioting Case". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  33. ↑ Shifa Naseer (29 March 2019). "Gujarat HC rejects Hardik Patel's plea to stay conviction in Mehsana rioting case, can't contest polls". Indiatoday.in.
  34. ↑ "Patidar leader Hardik Patel married to childhood friend Kinjal Parikh". Hindustan Times. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  35. ↑ "Hardik Patel Gets Married to Childhood Friend, Says Wife Will Help in Fight for Patidar Rights". News18. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hardik_Patel&oldid=301224"