In a significant development, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has decided to conclude his hunger strike as the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, responded to the community’s demands with a draft ordinance addressing reservation in education and jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category.
Previously, Jarange Patil had threatened to march towards Mumbai if his demands were not met by Saturday morning. However, after Chief Minister Shinde held meetings with officials to discuss the activist’s demands, a delegation was sent late Friday night with a draft ordinance that aims to address the concerns raised by Jarange Patil.
The delegation, including officials like social justice department secretary Sumant Bhange and Aurangabad divisional commissioner Madhukar Arangal, played a crucial role in mediating the discussions.
Expressing his satisfaction with the government’s response, Jarange Patil stated, “Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has done a good job. Our protest is now over. Our request has been accepted. We will accept the letter from him. I will drink juice by the hands of the chief minister tomorrow (Saturday).”
The Maratha community has been actively seeking reservation in education and jobs under the OBC category, leading to discussions between community leaders and the state government. Jarange Patil, who initiated a hunger strike in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, outlined specific demands, including Kunbi certificates for all Marathas, free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level, and reservation of seats for Marathas in government job recruitments.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed his support for the reservation for the Maratha community and emphasized Chief Minister Shinde’s active engagement in resolving the issue through dialogue.
Despite calling off the hunger strike, Patil clarified, “We have not shunned our plans to march to Azad Maidan (in Mumbai). We will go there to celebrate if the government issues all orders pertaining to our demands. If not, we will hold an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow.”
The draft ordinance presented by the Maharashtra government addresses several key demands of the Maratha community, suggesting a potential resolution to the longstanding issue of reservation for the community in the state.
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