Fasting Hardik's supporters prevent Medha Patkar from meeting him
Ahmedabad, Sep 1 : Anti-Narmada dam activist Medha Patkar was in for a surprise on Saturday when supporters of fasting Patidar leader Hardik Patel heckled her and prevented her from meeting him.
The 25-year-old Patel quota stir warrior has been on an indefinite fast for over eight days. Medha Patkar, who is an unwelcome face for many in Gujarat due to her stand on the Narmada project, which is hailed as the lifeline of Gujarat, was heckled and slogans were raised against her when she reached Patel's residence on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
Hardik Patel's supporters prevented Patkar from entering the premises. When the situation worsened, one of the close associates of Patel, Manoj Panara, requested her to return.
Although she maintained that she had reached the quota leader's place on an invite from him, she had to drop the idea of meeting him. However, two of her close associates and veterans, Jyotibhai Desai and Danielbhai, later went in to meet Patel.
Meanwhhile, Hardik who is on the eighth day of his fast, has stopped taking water for the last two days. Medha Patkar said, "If Hardikbhai's health deteriorates, then the fight won't reach its logical end. He should start drinking water. I am here to support Hardik for his demands for farmers. We have an alliance of 200 farmer unions demanding total debt waiver and right price for their produce."
Manoj Panara, however, claimed that no invite had been sent to Medha Patkar. "She had called Hardik, but that was just to ask his well-being. There was no talk about her meeting him," Panara said.
Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda too called on Hardik and extended his support.
Meanwhile, Patel on Saturday began consuming water at the instance of a religious leader who had come to visit him. This was after medical check-up showed that sodium and potassium levels in his body had been disturbed and there was a rise in acetone in his blood, which could harm his kidneys.
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Rajnath Singh arrives at Karwar naval base
Karwar (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday arrived at the strategically located Karwar naval base in Karnataka, where he will soon flag off Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR.
The Union minister arrived at the naval base around 1 pm where he was given a Guard of Honour at the Parade Ground.
The defence minister landed at the key base in a military chopper, and is scheduled to spend a few hours here, with a number of engagements lined up.
During his visit to the base in the afternoon, he will also inaugurate some newly developed infrastructure at the key naval site, officials earlier said.
The Navy is expanding the crucial naval base as part Project 'Seabird'.
"Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will flag off #INSSunayna as the Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR with 44 personnel from 9 navies embarked onboard, from #Karwar today," the Office of Raksha Mantri posted on X on Saturday.
