Jarange Ends Fast After Maharashtra Govt Accepts Key Demands on Maratha Reservation
Mumbai, Sept 3: Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday ended his five-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, after the state government agreed to grant Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas, thereby bringing them under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
The 43-year-old activist, who began his fast on August 29, broke it by drinking a glass of fruit juice offered by senior BJP leader and cabinet sub-committee head Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed relief, saying he was “happy” with Jarange’s decision. He thanked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and Vikhe Patil for their role in negotiations. “Our aim is to ensure justice for the Maratha community while safeguarding the rights of OBCs. Caste certificates will be issued to eligible individuals, not to the community as a whole,” Fadnavis clarified.
He also addressed objections raised by OBC groups, calling their apprehensions “misconceptions.” “Maratha reservation will not affect OBC rights,” he asserted.
Jarange’s protest had triggered intense political debate across Maharashtra, compelling the government to take swift measures to address the community’s long-pending demand for reservation benefits.
Recent Comments