Manoj Jarange, a prominent activist advocating for Maratha reservation, announced that he would leave Patoda and travel directly to Mumbai. This decision comes on the 19th day of his indefinite fast, which he initiated to draw attention to the demands for reservation rights for the Maratha community in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to Jarange to call off the march and seek treatment, saying govt had already accepted 12 of his 13 demands. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
On the 19th day of his indefinite fast, Jarange said he would leave for Mumbai at 1pm, abandoning the planned route through Ahilyanagar and Pune. To reach Khopoli, a person needs to be able to eat,” he said. The activist said ministers, including Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, were expected to meet him in Patoda but made it clear that talks would be meaningful only if they addressed the community’s demands. “Ministers should come only if they are coming to fulfil the demands of Marathas,” he said. The agitation can continue later, but his health is important,” Fadnavis said. If we are stopped, lakhs of Marathas will reach Mumbai,” he said.
Doctors, however, advised him against travelling and warned that his deteriorating health could turn critical. His decision came hours after doctors found his blood pressure and blood sugar levels had dropped sharply and diagnosed severe dehydration. Beed civil surgeon Dr Satish Solanke advised immediate hospitalisation. Jarange took saline and drank water, saying he did so on the request of the mahant of Shankargad. The activist, however, remained defiant. “Even if death comes, I will not step back. Whatever happens to me, the fight for Maratha reservation will continue. “Travelling during a fast is difficult. Reservation is important, not the journey. The standoff intensified as Maratha protesters in Nanded threatened to stop the guardian minister from hoisting the national flag on Marathwada Liberation Day. Protesters also briefly blocked the Patoda-Beed highway. “His agitation has continued for several days and is affecting his health. He should get admitted and take treatment. Jarange, however, rejected suggestions that he would retreat and warned against any attempt to stop the march. “I will go to Mumbai. Let me see who stops me. He also asked supporters accompanying his convoy to return to their villages, saying he would call them if the administration tried to block the march. As political tensions rose, Jarange renewed his demand for implementation of the Shinde committee recommendations and sought clarity on the Hyderabad and Satara-Kolhapur gazette issues linked to Maratha reservation. Download the TOI App.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday altered his march plans and announced he would travel directly to Mumbai from Beed’s Patoda on Thursday. I will leave for Mumbai at 1pm tomorrow,” he said.
Health Impact of Marching While Fasting
Jarange stopped at Patoda due to physical exhaustion, unable to proceed to his next destination, Shrigonda. Earlier in the day, he expressed the challenges of continuing his march while fasting, highlighting the toll it has taken on his body.