{
  "id": 4667943,
  "title": "After BJP Key Meet In Pune, Minister Uday Samant Says Govt Working On Maratha Quota Solution Without Hurting OBC Rights",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/after-bjp-key-meet-in-pune-minister-uday-samant-says-govt-working-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T15:24:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/after-bjp-key-meet-in-pune-minister-uday-samant-says-govt-working-on-maratha-quota-solution-without-hurting-obc-rights"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pune, August 31: Industries Minister Uday Samant announced on Monday that the Maharashtra government is working on a strategic approach to address the demands of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, without harming the rights of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. Speaking to reporters after the BJP’s state executive committee meeting in Pune, Samant mentioned that he had discussed the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but no fixed date for the government delegation’s meeting with Jarange has been set.\n\nJarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati, demanding a Maratha reservation from the government. Samant emphasized that the government aims to address Maratha demands without creating any injustice for the OBC community. He said, “We have to accept the demands of the Maratha community without causing any loss or injustice to the OBC community.” Discussions are underway on how to address these demands, and Samant stated that the government is taking a positive approach to the situation.\n\nSamant mentioned that he had talked to Fadnavis about the matter on Monday. \"We discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today how a decision should be taken strategically,\" he said. However, he did not provide a specific date for the delegation meeting with Jarange at Antarwali Sarati. When asked about the timing, Samant replied, \"We will decide when to go there and how to go there.\" The government will announce its next course of action after completing its discussions.\n\nSamant also clarified any confusion surrounding Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent farmers’ and youth interaction program in Parbhani. Jarange criticized the program, but Samant explained that it was planned two months ago and initially scheduled for July 7. The program was postponed due to Shinde’s illness and was not meant to counter anyone. Samant further defended Shinde’s stance on the Maratha reservation, stating, “Eknath Shinde’s position has been one of providing reservation to the Maratha community.” He urged Jarange not to misunderstand Shinde or Fadnavis’ intentions and emphasized that Shinde was also concerned about Jarange’s health. Samant, who has a personal relationship with Jarange, appealed for the activist to avoid any misunderstandings that could lead to incorrect statements about Fadnavis or Shinde.",
  "summary": "Pune, August 31: Industries Minister Uday Samant on Monday said the Maharashtra government was working on a “strategic” approach to address the demands of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil while ensuring that the interests of the OBC community were not affected. Speaking to reporters after the BJP’s state executive committee meeting in Pune, Samant said he had discussed the issue…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}