'Ready To Withdraw Fast, But Will Not...': Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange After All-Party Resolution

Maratha Quota Protest: Manoj Jarange on hunger strike since August 29 said he is ready to give the Maharashtra government one month's time so that its committee can prepare a report.

File Photo of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange began a hunger strike on August 29 at Jalna's Antarwali Sarati village demanding Maratha reservation. ( Image Source :Twitter- @JarangeManoj )

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has announced that he is ready to conclude his indefinite hunger strike, which began on August 29 in the Antarwali Sarati village of Jalna district, central Maharashtra. However, he said he will continue to be at the protest site until the Maharashtra state government commences the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community hailing from the Marathwada region.

"I am ready to give the state government one month's time so that the committee prepares a report. I have made it clear to the state government that whether its report is positive or negative, it will have to start issuing Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community. I am walking two steps backward so that the defamation of my community stops. I am ready to withdraw my fast, but I will not vacate this place," Jarange told a gathering at the protest site, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Jarange began a hunger strike on August 29 at Jalna's Antarwali Sarati village demanding reservations in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for the Maratha community.

The state government responded by forming a five-member panel headed by retired Judge Sandeep Shinde to formulate the Standard Operating Procedures, encompassing legal and administrative frameworks, for granting caste certificates to Maratha community members formerly described as 'Kunbis' in Nisam-era documents. This move aims to enable Marathas from the Marathwada region to avail themselves of quota benefits, as Kunbis are now categorised as OBCs.

The Marathwada region consists of eight districts, including Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Parbhani.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in an all-party meeting on Monday, passed a resolution urging Jarange to end his fast. During the meeting, he also announced the withdrawal of police cases against pro-Maratha reservation protesters in Jalna district, the focal point of the ongoing agitation.

Additionally, Shinde announced the suspension of three police officials linked to a lathi-charge on quota agitators in Jalna earlier this month. Despite these developments and appeals from political figures, Jarange had insisted on continuing his protest until a concrete decision was reached regarding the Maratha community's quota demand.

In a further statement, Jarange declared plans to hold a rally of the Maratha community at the protest site on October 12. He emphasised that the event would serve to highlight their grievances and frustrations, reaffirming his determination to persist with his protest until a resolution is achieved.