Maratha quota agitation intensifies as Jarange begins fast
Mumbai, August 29: Manoj Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday in Antarwali Sarati village of Jalna district, Maharashtra, demanding Kunbi caste certificates for the Maratha community. He stated that if his demand is not considered, he may come to Mumbai along with Maratha activists.
Speaking to reporters before starting the hunger strike, Manoj Jarange said that the Caste Verification Committee should be abolished. He said that no other state in the country has such a committee, so what is the need for one in Maharashtra? He said that he is ready to hold talks with the government delegation, insisting that he will not end his fast until his demands are met.
Jarange said, “Devendra Fadnavis harbors resentment towards the Maratha community, and Eknath Shinde is secretly supporting him through Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat. If they don’t resolve our issues, we will go to Varsha Bungalow. If the government team comes to talk to them, we will talk to them. But this is my last protest. I won’t leave until all issues are resolved.”
He appealed to the community to encourage their children to pursue education and government jobs.
He also accused officials of rejecting claims despite valid documentary evidence and demanded the abolition of the caste verification committee. He said, “The government is trying to deny us certificates by rejecting the documentary evidence despite its matching merits.” For now, he has stated that he will continue his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarati and will not back down from his protests until the issues he raised are resolved.
It is noteworthy that this is Manoj Jarange’s 11th protest for Maratha reservation. Jarange had previously protested at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, which had caused civic unrest in Mumbai. In light of this, and Manoj Jarange’s threat to launch another protest in Mumbai, the state government has become alert.
On behalf of the state government, Industry Minister Uday Samant stated that the government is working on a war footing to fulfill Manoj Jarange’s demands. In this regard, the OBC community should understand that the government is not obstructing their rights at any cost. He stated that the government wants Manoj Jarange to suspend his protest, adding that the government is providing all the facilities to the Maratha community as per their demands.
