The Maratha community will not accept "incomplete reservation," and the Maharashtra government should summon a special session of the state legislature on the subject, according to activist Manoj Jarange, who is fasting indefinitely in support of the quota demand, news agency PTI reported. He threatened to stop drinking water on Wednesday evening if the Maratha group was not given the "complete" quota. He warned the administration not to "trouble" peacefully demonstrating Maratha youngsters, or else a severe response will be delivered.
Speaking to media in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, where he has been fasting since October 25, Jarange slammed Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for saying that perpetrators of violence in Beed will face prosecution under IPC 307 (attempt to kill).
Jarange was outraged by the state Cabinet's decision to award Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas in Marathwada.
"Don't be selective in granting reservation. Give Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas. Officials should not distribute these (Kunbi) certificates (as declared by the government). The government should accept the first report of the Justice Shinde committee and convene a special session of the legislature to decide on the Maratha quota," he was quoted by PTI in its report.
He warned the chief minister that if impoverished Maratha youngsters in Beed are harassed, he will respond appropriately.
Fadnavis, who is in charge of the Home portfolio, told reporters that agitators who attempted to burn down a house in the Beed area while family members were inside will face attempted murder charges.
Fadnavis, according to Jarange, has harmed the BJP, which has "become ugly."
"We don't know who is responsible for the violence in Beed. It seems the government doesn't want Maharashtra to remain peaceful. When will you grant the complete reservation? The CM and his two deputies will be responsible for the fallout. I will stop drinking water from Wednesday. One of the two deputy CMs (Fadnavis) will be more responsible," he added.
Jarange also chastised some OBC leaders for opposing Maratha quota under the Other Backward Classes category.
"Marathas constitute 50 per cent of the state population. At the same time, Dalits, Muslims, Dhangars and OBCs in rural areas are with us for the reservation demand. You (OBC) are 37 per cent and availing of 32 per cent reservation. If anyone tries to take on us, we will also react," he added.
OBC members, according to Jarange, should not take to the streets.
He stated that the Maratha quota struggle will continue quietly and that politicians would be barred from entering villages.
Earlier in the day, Jarange told a press conference that reservation currently covers 60-65 percent of Marathas and that the government should extend it to the remaining Marathas in the state.
"For this, the government should call a special session and pass a resolution, accepting the first report of the committee appointed for this purpose and give (Kunbi) certificates. Those who do not want the certificate will not take them. But those who want should get it," he said.
Raj Thackeray Urges Jarange To End Hunger Strike
On Tuesday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray urged Maratha quota campaigner Manoj Jarange to end his extended hunger strike and called for a special session of the Maharashtra assembly to examine the quota issue.
Thackeray stated in a letter to Jarange that people who could not profit from reservation should do so, and that reservation should be based on economic circumstances.
“A special session of the state legislature should he convened by the government to discuss the issue. Let everyone know what various opinions are and under what law the government is planning to grant reservation,” Thackeray was quoted by PTI in its report.
He went on to say that a proposal might be given to the Centre, which may be requested to deal with the problem.
Nanded SP Wounded In Stone Pelting By Mob During Maratha Quota Protest
An official stated that stone pelting injured Nanded district Superintendent of Police Shrikrishna Kokate during a rally conducted by supporters of the Maratha quota demand on Tuesday evening, PTI reported.
The incident occurred in the district's Kushnoor region, where hundreds of Maratha activists had congregated to seek quota for the group, he claimed.
According to the official, Kokate pleaded to the agitators to keep the peace, but he was attacked with stones and suffered hand injuries.
At least 40 people were detained as a result of the event, he added.