Hardik accuses Modi of using Patidars for ‘orchestrating’ 2002 riots

Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel on Wednesday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of using the community for “orchestrating” the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.

Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel on Wednesday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of using the community for “orchestrating” the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.

Hardik Patel shot to limelight when he successfully mobilized his community for the agitation demanding reservation benefits in college admissions and government jobs. (PTI files)

Patel sent the letter from Udaipur where he is in six-month exile as per the bail condition of the Gujarat high court in connection with a sedition case.

In the letter dated August 24 (a copy of which is with HT) with subject ‘Modiji you have stabbed the Patidars in the back’, the 23-year-old has mentioned six cases reported during the 2002 riots wherein Patidars in large numbers have been convicted and awarded life imprisonment.

“We all know that Narendra Modi has orchestrated the 2002 riots. Reaping the benefits of the communal riots, first he became the CM and then went on to become the PM,” said Hardik in the letter.

“Patidars who were accused in these cases are languishing in jails. When Modiji is PM now, he can seek clemency from the President for the accused Patidars. But he won’t do so now as he wants to project himself as a secular person to India and the world,” he added.

Patel, a resident of Viramgam, shot to limelight when he successfully mobilized his community for the agitation demanding reservation benefits in college admissions and government jobs. Twice the agitation had turned violent, resulting in death of 13 Patidar youths and damage to public properties to the tune of Rs 44 crore.

He was booked for sedition in October 2015 and stayed in jail for nine months before getting bail in July this year with a condition to remain outside Gujarat for six months.