Maratha Reservation Row: '12 Of Manoj Jarange Patil’s 13 Demands Accepted, Acted On,' Says CM Devendra Fadnavis | VIDEO

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday that the state government has approved and acted upon 12 out of the 13 demands raised by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil regarding the Maratha reservation issue. During a cabinet meeting in Mumbai, Fadnavis confirmed that one demand remains unresolved due to a pending court case.

The Maratha activists initiated their protest march from Patil's home town Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district of the Marathwada region on Tuesday. Patil is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on September 19 for his ongoing hunger strike in the city in support of the community's reservation demand. However, the timing of the activist's arrival coincides with Gauri Ganesh Visarjan, an event that may pose additional challenges for the activists and law enforcement agencies.

When questioned about Patil's decision to continue the protest, Fadnavis stated that only the pending court issue cannot be addressed, while all other demands are being acted upon. The government has explained the legal difficulties involved in implementing one of the demands, according to government officials. The only demand that is still pending is the issuance of Kunbi (Other Backward Class) certificates to all Maratha community members based on historical records and gazetteers.

Fadnavis also appealed to Jarange to reconsider holding protests during the festive season, as the Ganpati festival is celebrated on a large scale in Pune and Mumbai, potentially causing inconvenience to devotees. The police have denied permission for the protest at Azad Maidan due to concerns about law and order issues resulting from a large influx of Maratha activists.

However, Patil modified his plans and claimed that he, along with around five other community members, would arrive in Mumbai for the protest and would undertake not to cause any disruption or inconvenience to citizens and commuters. Patil indicated that if the government still denies permission, he will take the matter to court.