Throwing eggs and ink on opponents a democratic way of dissent: Hardik Patel

Surat: PAAS Convener Hardik Patel, who is seemingly frustrated at not getting wide support and trying hard to revive his anarchist agitation in Gujarat again following his return post 6 months exile owing to bail condition in sedition cases, today claimed that throwing eggs and ink on opponents was a ‘democratic’ way to express dissent.

Talking to newsmen at the SMIMER hospital here, the PAAS leader gave this bizarre statement.

Justifying the incidents of throwing of eggs and ink by his supporters during the rally of BJYM state president Rutvij Patel here on January 31, Hardik said,’ In democracy one is free to express one’s dissent. Ink was earlier thrown on a chief minister (he did not name AAP leader and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) and chappals were hurled in parliament to express dissent. But no one has the right to beat the person who resort to such tactics to express dissent.’

Notably, the BJYM workers had reportedly thrashed PAAS activist Vijay Mangukiya and handed him over to police after the ink throwing incident. He has been admitted to SMIMER hospital. Mangukiya, a Hardik supporter, was also reportedly instrumental in creating ruckus during a function here last year in which BJP president Amit Shah was also present.

Hardik, went to crime branch office here on the third consecutive Thursday today as part of his bail condition and later went to the hospital to meet Mangukiya. He also said that he would gherao the Puna police station in the city on February 9 if the BJYM activists who attacked Mangukiya were not booked.

Hardik justified the ink throwing incident by Mangukiya terming it his democratic right of opposition. But he said that those who beat him up were wrong-doers.

DeshGujarat