Hardik Patel is an Indian political and social activist. He gained prominence as the leader of the Patidar reservation agitation in the state of Gujarat, India. Here is some detailed information about Hardik Patel:
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Early Life and Education: Hardik Patel was born on July 20, 1993, in a Gujarati Patidar family in Viramgam, Gujarat, India. His father, Bharat Patel, is a small businessman. Hardik Patel completed his schooling in Viramgam and later pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree from Sahajanand College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
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Patidar Reservation Agitation: In 2015, Hardik Patel emerged as the face of the Patidar reservation agitation, also known as the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). The movement sought to demand reservation benefits for the Patidar (or Patel) community in educational institutions and government jobs. The agitation gained widespread support, particularly among the Patidar youth.
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Role in Agitation: Hardik Patel organized various rallies and protests across Gujarat, attracting large crowds of Patidars who supported the demand for reservation. His public speeches and fiery rhetoric against the government garnered significant attention. However, the movement also faced criticism for causing violence and damage to public property during protests.
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Legal Troubles: Hardik Patel faced legal challenges during the agitation. He was charged with sedition and inciting violence. He spent time in jail on multiple occasions, including a period of exile from Gujarat. However, he continued to lead the movement from outside the state.
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Political Career: After the Patidar reservation agitation, Hardik Patel turned his focus towards politics. In 2017, he launched the Patidar Navnirman Sena (PNS) as a political outfit to represent the interests of the Patidar community. However, the PNS has not gained significant electoral success so far.
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Joining Indian National Congress: In 2017, Hardik Patel joined the Indian National Congress (INC), one of the major political parties in India. He campaigned for the party during the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections but did not contest the elections himself.
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Recent Political Activities: Hardik Patel has remained active in politics and has campaigned for the Congress party in various elections. However, his influence and popularity have seen fluctuations over time.
Please note that the information provided is based on Hardik Patel's public profile up until my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. There may have been further developments or changes in his activities since then.
