The Patel quota movement leader Hardik Patel announced on Friday that he would launch a “lollipop movement.” The movement will express displeasure over the Gujarat government’s package for students of economically backward classes. He alleges that the package does not offer anything substantial to the Patel community.
Patel said that the special scheme announced by the Gujarat government for deserving students of all categories was a “lollipop” for the Patel community.
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) will register their protest against the new scheme announced by Gujarat government by giving lollipops to the people in villages and talukas across the state.
— Hardik Patel, Convener, PAAS
Hardik said that the special scheme was merely a lollipop for the Patel community. Whatever has been offered is nothing new but a modified version of old schemes for the economically backward category.
Hardik asked his community members to launch the ‘lollipop movement,’ despite submitted an undertaking in the high court yesterday stating that he would not start any movement until September 29, the next date of hearing in the case.
Hardik’s lawyer B M Mangukia submitted an undertaking before a division bench of Justice M R Shah and Justice K J Thaker on behalf of his client. The undertaking stating no agitation or programme call will be given by the leader until the next hearing on September 29.
As our demands are not mentioned in the special scheme, the agitation will not be either stopped or postponed.
— Hardik Patel, Convener, PAAS
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has announced a special scheme with a substantial fee waiver for students across communities. The ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavlamban Yojana’ (Chief Minister’s Youth Self-Reliance Scheme) will benefit students, irrespective of caste, whose family income is below Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.
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