Shiv Sena’s MP from Hingoli, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar can be seen interacting with activist Manoj Jarange on the 11th day of his hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati on Tuesday
Raut’s charge came after minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said a day earlier that no govt delegation would meet Jarange, who is on a hunger strike. “That means they want to kill Manoj Jarange,” Raut said. Raut said Jarange’s health had visibly worsened. This is extremely inhuman,” he said, demanding that a senior govt figure at least go and speak to him. “Whether it is the OBC issue or the Maratha community’s issue, CM Devendra Fadnavis should call together the heads of all parties in the state, talk to them, and find a way out of this,” he said. Over the ongoing controversy over banning Muslims at garba events, Raut welcomed the statement by CM Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta, who said everyone should be allowed. He alleged that instances of love jihad occurred through garba gatherings and said Muslims wishing to join Hindu festivities should meet certain conditions, including reciting the Hanuman Chalisa at some places. If a Muslim person also comes there and quietly enjoys the garba, I do not see anything wrong in that,” she said. Raut said he welcomed Fadnavis’ stance but this needs to be taken further. I request that she speaks with her husband to counsel those in BJP who are neo-Hindutvawadis,” said Raut. If someone demands something beyond it, the govt should not grant it; that is the govt’s call to make,” he said, adding, “I think everyone has erred somewhere here.”
Raut widened the demand beyond Jarange’s fast, calling for a broader resolution to the state’s caste-quota disputes. “Very happy that Amruta ji feels like this. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar took a more measured view of Jarange’s conduct, even as he faulted govt’s record. “Nothing in this country or state is bigger than what the Constitution provides.
Earlier BJP’s Nitesh Rane had backed a demand by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) that Muslims not be allowed to participate in garba and dandiya events. “Today is the ninth or tenth day, and I saw today that his health has deteriorated. On Tuesday in Chandrapur, Amruta Fadnavis said, “I think our festival is one that includes everyone.