Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil ends 20-day fast, gives state govt 3 months to consider demands, reports PTI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil concluded his 20-day fast, informing the state government of three months to evaluate his demands, according to PTI. This occurred the day after he had mentioned resuming his journey to Mumbai for an agitation on Thursday afternoon. Should someone hinder his path, members of the Maratha community were instructed to travel to Maharashtra's capital.

Jarange, who had been on a hunger strike for 19 days, halted in Patoda early morning and took medical advice due to severe dehydration and other health concerns. In dialogue with the media, he stated, "I was not willing to listen to anyone, but religious leaders from Narayangad asked me to take medication. However, I will depart for Mumbai at 1 pm tomorrow.

I will undergo treatment tonight and leave for Mumbai tomorrow." He added, "I will not announce any date for the Maratha community to converge in Mumbai. A new draft of proposals could come from the government in an hour or so. So, I will not announce the date now." "Let me see who impedes me from entering Mumbai. If they prevent me (from entering), I will invite the Maratha community people," warned the activist advocating for Kunbi caste certificates for eligible Marathas to secure reservation in the OBC quota.

Following a week of firm stance, the state government softened its position and conveyed a draft proposal to Manoj Jarange-Patil on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike. The government also requested him to discontinue the strike and cancel the planned march to Mumbai, as it might disrupt the Ganesh festivities. Jarange-Patil, however, affirmed his resolve to reach Mumbai on September 18 for the protest but was open to dialogue with the government.

He emphasized the need to revise the government resolution on implementing the Hyderabad Gazetteer, streamline the issuance of Kunbi certificates, and issue them based on all 5.8 million records related to Kunbi lineage collected by the government, along with ensuring caste validity committees clear all the certificates issued by the government.