Hardik Patel calls for stir against donations to schools, colleges in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Slamming the Gujarat government for "commercialisation of education", jailed Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel has called for a peaceful mass movement against schools and colleges demanding donation for admitting the students.

In a letter addressed to Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Hardik alleged that the government is ignoring the plight of students and is only interested in organising various festivals to boast about development.

"Main reason behind students' suicides is rampant commercialisation of education in Gujarat. People are becoming victims of the donation practice. I urge PAAS and other organisations to raise their voice against this system" Hardik said in the letter dated May 27.

The copies of the letter were distributed to media by PAAS on Sunday.

Hardik has been lodged at Lajpore jail in Surat since last October under two cases of sedition emerging out of the Patel quota agitation.

"This government is not worried about the future of students and youths. What is the meaning of spending crores on various festivals in the name of showcasing development? Time has come to give justice to youths," he stated.

According to Hardik, colleges and schools are having "government's protection and permission to collect donations, which are in turn given to parties for election campaigns".

"I appeal to all the students and their families to contact PAAS members if any education institute demands donation. Upon receiving such complaints, PAAS members should engage in peaceful protests outside those institutes to highlight the issue," said Hardik.