Manoj Jarange, an activist observing an indefinite fast in support of the Maratha quota demand, announced on Saturday (October 28) that a series of hunger strikes will commence in every village across Maharashtra from October 29 if the government does not immediately grant the reservation. Jarange also conveyed that the government would bear responsibility for any harm befalling the protesters participating in the hunger strike, news agency PTI reported.
As per the report, while addressing the media in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange officially initiated the second phase of the reservation movement, with the third phase scheduled to start on October 31.
According to the report, on the fourth day of his hunger strike, the 40-year-old activist refused a medical examination by doctors, despite the fact that Jalna district collector Shri Krishna Panchal and superintendent of police Shailesh Balkawade had visited him to assess his health.
A continuous series of hunger strikes, including fasts-unto-death, will begin in villages across Maharashtra on October 29. Jarange emphasised the importance of the government taking this movement seriously and not underestimating the protesting Marathas' determination.
"Starting October 29, a relentless series of hunger strikes, fast-unto-death, will be launched in every village in Maharashtra. The government must take this movement seriously and should not underestimate the determination of agitating Marathas," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
The second phase of Jarange's hunger strike commenced on October 25, following the expiration of the "ultimatum" he had given to the state government to announce the quota for Marathas in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, the report said.
Jarange had previously undertaken a 14-day fast in the same village from August 29 to September 14, which he withdrew upon receiving assurances from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The third phase of the agitation is set to begin on October 31, with details to be disclosed on October 30.
The announcement by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena on October 24, pledging to provide legally sustainable reservations for Marathas, has not quelled the ongoing protests.
The Chief Minister, and his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, have asserted the state government's commitment to granting reservations to the Maratha community without diminishing the quotas of other communities and in a manner that would withstand legal scrutiny. However, Jarange accused the government of procrastinating on the quota commitment.
He alleged that certain individuals had been incited against the Maratha community over their "rightful demand" and claimed that the Chief Minister was being pressured to deny reservation to the Marathas.
In a related development, members of the Maratha community blocked a road in Latur district, holding up traffic for nearly two hours in solidarity with Jarange's hunger strike, PTI reported. The protesters demanded reservation in government jobs and education and called for the implementation of a caste census in the state.
Unfortunately, the Maratha quota issue has had a negative impact on some community members. As of now, two people have reportedly committed suicide due to this issue. A 65-year-old man from Alandi in Pune district allegedly committed suicide because he was depressed about his son's unemployment and the lack of Maratha quota benefits, according to a PTI report. These issues were mentioned in his suicide note, which was discovered at his home, the report said.
In a similar incident from Latur, 26-year-old gram panchayat member allegedly committed suicide, according to another PTI report.
According to the report, his kin claimed he had completed post-graduation in Marathi and Political Science but was upset over not getting opportunities despite his qualifications, which included B.Ed and D.Ed degrees.