Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange persists with his indefinite hunger strike in Jalna, Maharashtra, demanding Kunbi certificates for Marathas to access OBC reservation, even as his health deteriorates.
Key Points
- Maratha activist Manoj Jarange continues his indefinite fast for reservation despite health concerns.
- Jarange demands immediate issuance of Kunbi certificates for Marathas to secure OBC quota.
- He criticised the state government and mediating ministers for alleged political credit battles.
- Doctors expressed concern over Jarange's deteriorating health, with blood sugar levels dropping.
- The activist claims 58 lakh records link Marathas to Kunbis, a point of contention with the government.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday evening agreed to take water and undergo saline treatment after BJP MLA Prasad Lad met him on the government's behalf, but maintained that his indefinite fast would continue until all his demands were met.
Jarange began his latest indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district on August 29, demanding reservation for the Marathas and immediate issuance of Kunbi certificates on the basis of gazette records, among other things. He has also threatened to take the agitation to Mumbai.
"I am drinking water and taking saline, but I will not withdraw the fast until our demands are fulfilled," he said, adding that he agreed to the treatment at Lad's request.
He, however, criticised the BJP-led state government, claiming that the Maratha reservation has been caught in a battle over political credit between Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.
He also criticised the state water resources minister and Maratha leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who had been involved in efforts to mediate.
"We trusted Vikhe Patil, but he is making a fool of us," Jarange alleged, asking why he had not come for discussions. He would not end his fast until the cancelled Kunbi caste certificates of Marathas were not restored, he said.
Understanding The Maratha Reservation Demand
Jarange has been seeking Kunbi certificates for Marathas so that they could get reservation in the OBC category. Kunbi, an agrarian community, is categorised among Other Backward Classes in Maharashtra.
Earlier in the day, doctors expressed concerns over the activist's deteriorating health, and the Jalna district collector Ashima Mittal appealed to him to end his fast.
Jarange's blood sugar level had dropped, a medical officer said.
The activist has claimed that 58 lakh records establishing genealogical links between Marathas and Kunbis have been found but the government was trying to reduce the figure.
Government Stance On Reservation Demands
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the government is open to discussing constitutionally valid and legally viable demands, and not those violative of the Supreme Court's orders.
