Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s indefinite hunger strike for Maratha Reservation from the OBC quota entered its second day at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. The crowd in South Mumbai grew larger, led traffic disruptions.
Meanwhile, the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, led by senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, held a meeting on Saturday. After the meeting, the minister stated that the committee made a few decisions. These would communicated to Jarange-Patil.
Jarange-Patil continue strike for Maratha Reservation
“We have made some decisions that will communicated to Jarange-Patil. This responsibility given to retired justice Sandeep Shinde. He will meet with him along with divisional commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi and inform him about our decisions,” the water resources minister said. He mentioned that the cabinet sub-committee is ready to discuss any other issues raised by Jarange-Patil, if necessary.
The Shinde committee created to determine the process for issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas and to provide guidelines to make this easier. It was established on September 9, 2023, when Eknath Shinde was the chief minister. Home Minister Amit Shah also in town and expected to briefed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the ongoing protest.
Government ignore the Jarange Patil’s demands for Marathas
Earlier, Jarange-Patil voiced his frustration over the government ignoring his agitation. “I urge the state government to accept our demand. Do not insult the poor Marathas,” he said.
“We are not asking to remove the OBC quota and give it to us,” he said. “Do not create misunderstandings in the state. We are asking for what is our right. We seek to be included in the OBC quota based on our Kunbi background, as we are also OBCs.”
Jarange-Patil has been demanding a Maratha Reservation community from the OBC quota. This demand is based on Kunbi, a sub-caste of Marathas, which qualifies for the OBC quota.
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