Manoj Jarange
Jarange, whose indefinite fast entered its sixth day at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, told govt it had until Sept 11 to translate promises into action. “Going by today’s discussions, I think govt may act well before Sept 11. Otherwise, 45 lakh Maratha activists are ready to reach Mumbai,” Jarange said after a marathon meeting with ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Uday Samant and Makrand Patil, along with BJP MLC Prasad Lad. Vikhe Patil said around 7.5 lakh Kunbi and SEBC certificates had been issued so far and efforts were underway to cover more eligible beneficiaries. Jarange is seeking immediate issuance of Kunbi certificates based on the claimed discovery of 58 lakh Kunbi records, speedy certification for applicants awaiting caste validity, separate govt departments for the Maratha and Kunbi communities, withdrawal of cases against Maratha protesters, and govt jobs and financial assistance for families of those who died during the agitation.
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Until then, he said, the agitation would continue. Calling the current movement the Maratha community’s “last and decisive agitation”, he said he could not withdraw it on the basis of assurances alone. “I cannot call off the agitation until the demands are fulfilled in reality,” he told the delegation.
If that happens, we will go to Mumbai to celebrate victory. The warning came even as govt sought to break the deadlock by assuring Jarange that a GR acceptable to the protesters would be issued and that steps would be taken to address demands related to Kunbi certificates and other reservation-linked issues. However, Jarange remained unmoved. Govt tried to convince protesters that progress had already been made. The core demands, however, remain unchanged. Even as negotiations continued, the movement spread across Marathwada. Bandh calls were observed in parts of Beed, Latur, Nanded and Parbhani. Protesters staged road blockades and demonstrations at several locations, adding to the pressure on Mahayuti govt. Doctors continued monitoring Jarange’s health and administered IV fluids and medicines as his fast entered its sixth day. The latest agitation, Jarange’s 11th over the reservation issue, has once again put govt under pressure. At the same time, the push for wider issuance of Kunbi certificates has heightened concerns among OBC groups, which fear any expansion could affect their existing reservation benefits. Download the TOI App.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra govt’s latest effort to end Manoj Jarange’s agitation hit a roadblock on Thursday, with the Maratha quota activist refusing to call off his fast despite assurances from a delegation of senior ministers and a promise to issue govt resolutions on key demands.