Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has given instructions to withdraw cases against pro-quota agitators: Uday Samant

Uday Samant. File Pic

A day after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange ended his indefinite fast for Maratha quota, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant on Friday said that the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is committed to providing reservation to the Maratha community.

He further said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has given instructions to withdraw cases against pro-quota agitators.

"On Manoj Jarange Patil's demand to withdraw the agitation cases against the youth of Maratha community, CM Eknath Shinde has given instructions that the first agitation cases will be withdrawn in the next 15 days and all the remaining cases will be withdrawn within a month. Manoj Jarange Patil has also demanded that compensation should be given to the farmers who have suffered losses. Around 441 farmers will be given full compensation. The government has recorded demands of Manoj Jarange Patil in written form and started required work," Uday Samant said.

While addressing a press conference, Samant thanked Jarange for calling off the fast.

"I thank Manoj Jarange Patil and his colleagues for ending their hunger strike and cooperating with the state government. I thank the retired judges who played an important role. I was in the delegation yesterday and we had a detailed discussion with Manoj Jarange Patil. We assured them that our government will provide permanent reservation to the Maratha community. The government is committed in ensuring reservation for the Maratha community. We assured them that there would be no need to protest in Mumbai again. Manoj Jarange Patil has given us two months. In these two months, the government will work faster," Uday Samant said.

"The government has started issuing the Kunbi certificates. The Shinde Committee is working seriously and vigorously. It is good that they have found a large number of Kunbi records and work has been started to find more such records," he added.

The Maharashtra Industries Minister further said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers are monitoring these developments.

"There have been many Chief Ministers from the Maratha community in Maharashtra but only CM Eknath Shinde can give reservation to the Maratha community and he is working honestly and positively for it," Uday Samant said.

Samant further added that Manoj Jarange Patil calling off his hunger strike is a setback for vested interest groups. "The Maratha community marched peacefully in Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019 and never resorted to violence, but this time some people tried to defame the Government and Manoj Jarange Patil by resorting to violence," he added.

On Thursday, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange ended his nine-day-old indefinite fast for Maratha quota, but warned of a bigger agitation if no action was taken in two months on giving reservation benefits to the community.