New Delhi: Amid protests over the Maratha quota, activist Manoj Jarange urged the Maharashtra government on Tuesday to pass a bill granting reservations to Marathas during the upcoming winter session of the state legislature, rather than convening a special session for this purpose.
He also reminded the government of the December 24 deadline and said if the demand is not fulfilled by that time, then after that, the agitation cannot be handled by the government, reported news agency PTI.
Jarange, who has been leading the latest agitation to seek quota for the Maratha community in government jobs and education under the OBC category, was addressing a rally in Thane, the home turf of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Jarange further said that the government is left with no other option but to give reservations to his community, reported PTI.
"The Maharashtra government can pass a bill in the upcoming session of the state legislature scheduled to be held from December 7. Instead of calling a special session, give reservation to Marathas in the coming session itself based on the latest (Kunbi) record findings," he said.
For the people whose records are not available, the formula of the 2001 Reservation Act be applied to grant quota, he said, adding that CM Shinde has the capacity to take a decision on this.
"The Maratha community will hold him in high regard if he does so...We do not force you, but we are confident that you will take a decision in favour of Marathas," PTI quoted him as saying.
"If the reservation is not given by December 24, then we will decide our future course of action. From December 25, the agitation will become such that the government will not be able to handle it," Jarange warned.
He further alleged that the state government was trying to divide society on caste lines as it does not want to give reservation to Marathas.
"We have to wait till December 24 for the reservation bill to be passed. Till then, these are testing times for all of us," he said.
"This is a critical phase and we have to remain alert. Maintain peace as there will be attempts to provoke you and divert your attention, but you should not fall prey to any such tactics," he told the people from the Maratha community, reported PTI.
Reiterating that he will continue to fight for the cause till he is alive, Jarange said, "My only dream is I have to give something back to the people of the caste in which I was born. I want to see smile on the faces of the children of Marathas by getting them the rightful reservation. This will be the victory of the unity of Marathas and not of any individual."