New Delhi: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday started an indefinite fast, once again demanding expedited legislative action to address the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) grouping. This marks the fourth instance in less than a year that Jarange has resorted to a hunger strike to advocate for the rights of the Maratha community.
While addressing a presser at Antarwali Sarati village, the venue of his hunger strike, Jarange reiterated that cases registered against protesters from the Maratha community across the state be withdrawn immediately, reported news agency PTI. "The government should convene a special session of the state legislature in two days and bring legislation concerning 'sage soyare' (blood relatives). The government must issue (OBC) caste certificates to 57 lakh people who possess Kunbi records", PTI quoted Jarange as saying.
Jarange said he would not accept any kind of medical treatment during the indefinite hunger protest this time, as per PTI.
Following a march to Mumbai led by Jarange, which culminated on its borders on January 26, the government responded with a draft notification recognising the blood relatives of Maratha individuals with Kunbi records as part of the Kunbi community within the OBC category.
However, Jarange continues to advocate for blanket Kunbi certificates for Marathas, urging for swift action on this front. "The Justice Sandip Shinde Committee should expedite the work assigned to it," he said.
The committee was constituted by the government initially to look into the Kunbi antecedents of Marathas from the Marathwada region. Its scope was expanded subsequently.
Jarange also advocates for the adoption of the State Backward Class Commission's report, which evaluates the educational, social, and economic backwardness of the Maratha community, into law, reported PTI.
Maratha Quota Activist Jarange On Threat Letter Sent To Chhagan Bhujbal
As per PTI, on being asked about a threat letter sent to Maharashtra minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal purportedly threatening to harm him. Jarange said, "The NCP leader might have orchestrated these threats himself," he remarked. Notably, Jarange and Bhujbal often trade barbs over the Maratha quota issue.
The Maratha quota activist also claimed that some people had tried to harm him on seven occasions in the past but he chose to maintain silence, avoiding sensationalism, reported PTI.
Jarange had observed indefinite fasts in the past also but withdrew them on assurance of the government, which has stressed its commitment to grant the reservation to the Maratha community without harming the existing quotas of other communities.
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