Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has invited Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil, who staged a hunger strike in Jalna district over the demand for Maratha reservation, for discussion after the protest turned violent. Rajya Sabha MP and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's descendent, Udayanraje Bhosale, had also demanded a discussion on the issue with CM Eknath Shinde. Fadnavis has also assured Jarange Patil that justice will prevail in the incident that took place in Jalna.
Maharashtra's Dy CMO stated that the government is hopeful that a meeting with the Maratha agitation leaders will take place soon. It further said that the Cabinet subcommittee will meet today to discuss the issue of Maratha reservation in the afternoon and will be attended by CM Eknath Shinde and both Dy CMs.
Patil staged a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna since Tuesday. However, the agitation turned violent on Friday after the authorities tried to shift him to a hospital.
As violence broke out, police baton-charged the protesters and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. Several people, including 40 police personnel, were injured, and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze. More than 360 people were booked in connection with the violence, police said.
Govt Will Have To Announce Maratha Reservation In Maharashtra Within 2 Days And Implement It, Says Manoj Jarange Patil
Maratha agitation leader Jarange said that the government will have to announce the Maratha reservation in Maharashtra within 2 days, and will also have to implement it. Jarange also stated that there is no need to go to Mumbai now because a government delegation held discussions over the matter.
"The government had called us to Mumbai for talks but we do not feel that there is any need to come to Mumbai now because a govt delegation led by Minister Girish Mahajan met us and discussed with us. Whatever we had to say, we have told them. We have made it clear to them that the government will have to announce the Maratha reservation in Maharashtra within 2 days, and will also have to implement it. We have received information that Ministers of the Maharashtra govt and top officials are going to hold a meeting on this issue throughout the day today. We hope that today some solution will be found on this entire issue," Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil told ANI.