05 September,2023 07:48 PM IST | Aurangabad | mid-day online correspondent
Sakal Maratha Samaj members stage a `Rasta Roko` protest on Pune-Solapur Highway against Jalna administration over alleged lathicharge on protestors demanding Maratha reservation, in Solapur (File Photo/PTI)
On Tuesday, a delegation of the Maharashtra government failed to convince Manoj Jarange Patil, whose hunger strike for Maratha quota entered the 8th day.
Manoj Jarange, who has been holding the hunger protest in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna stated that he would stop drinking water and fluids after four days if a favourable decision on quota is not taken by the government.
The Maharashtra government has reached out to the activist twice urging him to withdraw the fast.
Last week on Friday, the police baton charged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a violent mob in Antarwali Sarathi village after protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift Jarange, who has been on fast since August 29, to hospital. Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze in violence.
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Girish Mahajan along with his cabinet colleagues Sandipan Bhumre and Atul Save met Jarange on Tuesday and requested him to call off the protest. Mahajan asked Jarange to accompany them to Mumbai and hold talks with CM Shinde.
Jarange refused to visit Mumbai. "We are giving four days to the government. If the government fails to issue GR (resolution) on the Maratha reservation, I will quit water, juice and IV fluids," he told the state delegation.
Mahajan informed Jarange that a sub-committee has completed 60-70 per cent of the work on preparing a report. "The government needs at least 30 days to decide because of some technical difficulties. We need to do concrete work on this issue. But the decision can come even before that. We are concerned about your health," Mahajan said.
However, Jarange said the agitation would continue peacefully and he would cooperate with the government. "But I will quit water if a decision is not taken within four days".
on Monday, CM Eknath Shinde stated that a committee will submit its report within a month on how to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas from Marathwada region.
(with inputs from PTI)
