Maratha quota: Manoj Jarange ends indefinite fast; gives govt 2 months to resolve issue

Manoj Jarange/ PTI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange concluded his nine-day-long indefinite hunger strike for Maratha quota benefits on Thursday, according to a PTI report. However, he issued a warning of a larger protest if no action was taken within two months to fulfil the community's reservation demands.

According to the report, Jarange declared that he would lead a massive march to Mumbai if the government failed to make a decision within two months, stating, "Then people of Mumbai won't even get vegetables."

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This announcement was made at the fasting site in his Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district after four state ministers met with him and requested an end to the hunger strike.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking to reporters in Mumbai later, expressed gratitude to Jarange for ending his fast. Jarange, though, emphasized that the Maratha quota agitation would continue, including relay fasts, and he urged the government to make a decision by December 24. While the ministers suggested extending the deadline to January 2, Jarange remained resolute, stated a report.

A delegation of retired high court judges, including Sandeep Shinde and MG Gaikwad, along with some officials, also met with Jarange, who reiterated his demand for comprehensive reservation for Marathas throughout Maharashtra. He sought a "foolproof reservation" and requested the state government's assurance.

The ministerial delegation included representatives from all three ruling parties: Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP. Jarange declared that he would not "step inside his residence" until all Marathas received reservation benefits and insisted on setting a date for the withdrawal of charges against Maratha quota protesters, the report stated.

According to the report, he raised questions about why Kunbi caste certificates couldn't be granted to Marathas, despite the discovery of over 13,000 records. Dhananjay Munde stated that the additional issues raised by Jarange would be addressed through an all-party proposal during the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur on December 8.

The government requires 45 to 60 days to address various committees' work to provide sustainable reservations to the Maratha community. Jarange stated that if their demands were met, they would stage a protest on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Jarange had declared on Wednesday evening that he would not consume water, following an all-party resolution supporting the quota demand and appealing to him to end his fast.

On Thursday, Jarange demanded that the government allocate adequate funds and deploy multiple teams to survey the economic and social backwardness of the Maratha community. He called for a government order granting Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas, with "throughout" (Maharashtra) included.

While the government has initiated the process of providing Kunbi certificates to Marathas from the Marathwada region who can produce old records referring to them as Kunbi, Jarange questioned why Marathas weren't receiving reservation benefits when other castes were. The delegation members explained that reservation couldn't be granted hastily, as the community's backwardness had yet to be definitively established. They assured that the Maratha community would eventually receive the benefits, and a new commission was being formed to assess their backwardness.

The discussions with the ministers and retired judges took place on live television, with numerous supporters of Jarange in attendance. Jarange insisted on "foolproof reservation" and demanded the government's commitment, warning of swift action should promises be broken.

Marathas have been advocating for reservation in education and employment in Maharashtra, with the movement gaining momentum after Jarange's indefinite fast announcement. The Maratha quota agitation recently resulted in violence across the state, including the burning of several MLAs' residences.