Maratha quota: Manoj Jarange Patil begins new hunger strike

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil launched a fresh indefinite hunger strike in Jalna district of Maharashtra on July 20, demanding the implementation of the bill recognising the Kunbis as blood relatives of the members of the Maratha community.

He began fasting in his native village Antarwali Sarathi in the district and said he had to take this step because the Maharashtra government had failed to keep its promises on the reservation issue.

Earlier, Mr Jarange Patil had suspended his indefinite hunger strike over the reservation issue on June 13, six days after it began, and given the government a month’s deadline to meet the community’s demands.

also read: What led to the Maratha quota agitation? | Explained

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Jarange Patil said, “I had to start this quickly as the government has not kept its word. I will continue the strike till my death.” He said a crucial meeting will be held on August 29 in which the Maratha community will decide whether to contest the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra.

“During the indefinite fast, he would undertake a nationwide tour from August 7 to 13,” he said.

“I will be touring Maharashtra in an ambulance and addressing meetings. Then there will be a series of meetings in Antarwali Sarati from August 14 to 20 to discuss the assembly elections. If the community decides against fielding a candidate on August 29, we will not field one. But then we will work to defeat those who are against Maratha reservation and support those who are for it,” said Mr Jarange Patil.

He urged members of the Maratha community to collect data on the likely candidates for the assembly elections so that they could be discussed between August 14 and 20.

He further said that the ruling Mahayuti Alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) were trying to capitalise on his agitation.

“The Mahayuti wants me to field 288 candidates for the election, while the MVA hopes that I will support them instead. But I know their tricks and will not allow their plans to succeed,” he said.

He claimed that the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government launched the ‘Ladki Bahin’ and ‘Ladka Bhau’ schemes in view of the upcoming elections. “There were several welfare schemes which were discontinued in the past,” he said.

Mr Jarange Patil accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of betraying the Dhangar community by not including them in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. He alleged that the OBC leaders were trying to sow discord between the Marathas and the OBCs.

Also read: OBC leaders should focus on ST quota for Dhangar community, says Jarange-Patil

On the plans of the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi to launch the ‘Aarakshan Bachao Janyatra’ on the reservation issue in parts of Maharashtra, he said, “We expect that Ambedkar will support us as he is the leader of the poor and weaker sections of the society.”