Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Tuesday contended before the Supreme Court that he might have used “intemperate” language, but had never intended to overthrow the elected government of Gujarat through violence.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Hardik, submitted there were certain statements ought not to have been made.
“Those were stupid statements. Some unfortunate incidents did take place but it was never my intention to try and overthrow the government illegally. I was opposing the reservation policy of the Gujarat government,” Hardik submitted before a bench of Justices J S Khehar and R F Nariman.
Sibal was challenging an order of the Gujarat High Court in connection with an FIR lodged on October 21 against Hardik for inciting Patel youths to resort to violence in order to destabilise the state government.
The high court had agreed to drop certain charges but said charges of sedition and attempt to wage a war against the state could be made out.
Published 15 December 2015, 19:57 IST