Maratha Quota: Activist Threatens Hunger Strike As Oct 24 Deadline Nears, CM Expresses Anguish Over 2 Deaths
Jarange went on hunger strike in September of this year, asking that Marathas be given quota in government employment and education under the OBC category.
Activist Manoj Jarange warned on Sunday that if the Maharashtra government does not award quotas to the Maratha community by Tuesday, he will fast until death, news agency PTI reported. Jarange stated during a news conference at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district that the Maratha community will not allow political figures, including MPs and MLAs, to access villages across the state until the quota demand is met.
Jarange went on hunger strike in September of this year, asking that Marathas be given quota in government employment and education under the OBC category. He had withdrawn his objection, giving the administration a 40-day deadline until October 24 to award quotas.
“If the Maharashtra government fails to take a decision on awarding reservation to the Maratha community by October 24, I will sit on fast-unto-death agitation. Locals and people from other villages will also launch a similar protest,” Jarange was quoted by PTI in its report.
He stated that all villages will join the indefinite hunger strike in the following days and urged Marathas to march with candles to show their support for the quota demand.
“It is like a war being fought peacefully. I will declare the new directions on October 28. The government can't afford the direction which I will show to the people," he added.
During the fast, Jarange stated he would refrain from drinking water or seeking medical attention. He stated that a chain hunger strike will begin on October 25 and will progress to a full-fledged hunger strike on October 28.
"In every tehsil and village in the state, the Maratha community will organise candle marches, emphasising their commitment to non-violent demonstrations. 5 crore Marathas will participate in the protest." Jarange added.
He also urged members of the Maratha community not to perform drastic acts such as suicide.
“Peaceful protests would pave the way for our rightful demands," he added.
The activist said that the state administration was attempting to incite anti-reservation sentiments among the Maratha community. He also attacked Union Minister Narayan Rane and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam for allegedly anti-reservation sentiments without naming them. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have stated that the administration is dedicated to providing reservation to Marathas while maintaining quotas for other tribes.
CM Shinde on Sunday expressed anguish over the suicide of two people from the Maratha community committed.
#WATCH | Thane: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, "Today I want to appeal that two people from the Maratha community committed suicide, I'm also from the Maratha community and the son of a farmer, I express condolences to those who have committed suicide. Please think about your… pic.twitter.com/eiyJ4PFP48
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2023
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