Jarange Patil ends 20-day hunger strike, gives government three months; Mumbai march put on hold

Manoj Jarange Patil concluded his 20-day hunger strike on Thursday, temporarily suspending his plan to proceed to Mumbai and giving the Maharashtra government three months to address his demands. The activist, advocating for reservation for the Maratha community, met with a delegation from the state government at Patoda in Beed district and discussed the issues.

The delegation comprised cabinet sub-committee chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, minister Dada Bhuse, MLAs Suresh Dhas and Prasad Lad, and the Beed district collector. Jarange informed the government they had 90 days to fulfill the demands; failing to do so would result in the agitation moving toward Mumbai. The activist emphasized that despite trusting the government, the hunger strike would persist as the agitation would not cease.

He cautioned protesters who had already arrived in Mumbai to return. Although the hunger strike is suspended, Jarange affirmed that the broader agitation would continue. He explained his decision as the agitation having exposed around 58 lakh Kunbi records concerning Maratha community members and alleged efforts to diminish the number of such records.

The government had also agreed to issue a revised Government Resolution regarding the Hyderabad Gazetteer. Jarange acknowledged that sometimes taking two steps back was necessary to achieve a larger objective and that bending the government's resistance was essential. He claimed the agitation had compelled the government to meet the Maratha community, fulfilling his goal.

Jarange's health had worsened during his march to Mumbai, prompting medical intervention with saline at a pilgrim accommodation near the Vitthal temple in Patoda.