Hardik Patel – Young politician and political activist from Gujarat best known for Patidar reservation agitation

Hardik Patel is a young politician and activist, who caught national wide attention following Patidar reservation agitation, which he started in 2015. He urged to give OBC status to Patidar general community, which he belongs to, so that more people belonging to his community can get government scholarships and reservation quota. Currently he is associated with state politics and a member of Indian National Congress.

Hardik Patel belongs to a middle-class Patel family of Gujarat, born in 1993. Since childhood he lived at Viramgam, where he completed his studies. Cricket remained one of his prime hobbies. His father Bharat who was a BJP worker financially aided his family by a small business. He fixes submersible pumps in underground water wells, and as a teenager Hardik Patel too helped his father. As an activist, Hardik’s career began during his college days at Sahajanand College, Ahmedabad since 2010, and he has been elected to Students’ union. He graduated in commerce in 2013.

As a social and political activist his career began in 2015. One particular incident triggered his agitation against state-wide reservation, based on caste and community. His sister and her friend from a backward community together applied for a state government scholarship. Though his sister scored more marks than her friend, her friend got qualified under OBC reservation quota. As Patidars are not eligible for any such reservation, he started a protest demanding it. Very soon his agitation spread state-wide and national media also gave it full coverage. Within a short time, Patel became a celebrity at the age of just 22.

Patel led the Patidar reservation agitation, and organized rallies across the state, attended by thousands of people belonging to his community. He was once briefly arrested for his protests, and violent protests broke out in response. As a youth icon and leader, his moves were backed by many political parties, communities as well as organizations. He campaigned for Indian National Congress in 2017 Gujarat legislative assembly elections, and officially joined the party in 2019. He also married his childhood friend Kinjal Parikh the same year.

Hardik Patel – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Patel joined the Sardar Patel Group in 2012 and became president of its Viramgam unit within one month of joining. However following his conflicts with another member Lalji Patel, he lost the power. After parting from SPG, he embarked on a new journey with Patidar reservation agitation.

2. In association with Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, he led a state-wide protest against BJP led state government and many of their policies. It helped in the unification of backward communities as well.

3. A man of popularity as well as controversies, he couldn’t contest state assembly elections in 2019, because he was convicted of the rioting offence in Mehsana in 2015 and got barred from contesting.

4. A sex tape of Patel was released in 2017 which went viral. But 24-year old Patel accused it to be a part of political tricks.

5. He has been accused of polarizing people based on caste, and also spearheading agitations, riots and violence.

6. He feels that as no reservation is available for his community, many of deserving young members are forced to take private sector jobs, and unemployment is one of the major concerns too. They don’t get admission at good government colleges or job at government sector.

7. Right from college days, he was involved in public activities and loved to remain in limelight.

8. He is a believer of Lord Ram and a follower of Sardar Vallabhai Patel.