Activist Manoj Jarange Patil has anounced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
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Maratha Protests Swell at Mumbai Border, Govt Moves to Pacify Activist Jarange
(Photo: Nazia Sayed/The Quint)
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Maratha Protests Swell at Mumbai Borders, Govt Moves to Pacify Activist Jarange
Thousands of Maratha protesters, on Friday, 26 January, gathered in Navi Mumbai’s Vashi as the foot march led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil to demand for reservation for the community is enroute Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to begin a hunger strike.
While the government has initiated talks with Jarange agreeing to some more key demands with the hope to not let the march enter Mumbai, Jarange is yet to take a final call on entering the capital city.
A meeting of the government’s law panel took place with Jarange earlier on Friday, ahead of which the government reportedly agreed to one of his key demands to also issue Kunbi caste certificates to the maternal side of the family. The government, however, has not officially confirmed the development.
Manoj Jarange Patil addressing protesters in Vashi, Navi Mumbai on Friday, 26 January.
(Photo: Nazia Sayed/The Quint)
The issuing of Kunbi certificates will ensure reservation to the community under the OBC category.
Jarange has announced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, even though the Mumbai police has denied permission for any gathering at the venue.
The government, instead, has offered Jarange to continue his protest at a venue in Kharghar. Meanwhile, several protesters from the community have already gathered at Azad Maidan to welcome Jarange. Some protesters earlier also resorted to ‘chakka jaam’ near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) station but were removed by the police.
‘Already Began Hunger Strike’: Jarange
Jarange is expected to address his supporters on his decision to launch a hunger strike in Mumbai after the meeting with the government-appointed law panel concluded.
Most protesters, meanwhile, said that the government has only been making promises but nothing concrete moves have been taken to give reservation to the community so far.
Supporters of the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil during a protest demanding Maratha reservation, in Navi Mumbai, Friday, 26 January, 2024.
Speaking to them briefly after the meeting, Jarange said that he “already began his hunger strike at 11:00 am today.”
Addressing the gathering in Vashi on Thursday, Jarange had said that the hunger strike in Mumbai is the ‘last phase’ of the protest.
‘Demands Accepted, No Need to Enter Mumbai’: Government
Speaking to the media in Nagpur on the sidelines of Republic day celebrations, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that everybody has a right to protest but it should be done peacefully.
“Firstly, the SC has given certain directions (to the Maharashtra government). Everybody has the right to protest but the demonstrations should be peaceful is what the apex court has ordered. Simultaneously, there will be talks to resolve all issues under the guidance of the chief minister,” Fadnavis said.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Shiv Sena leader and cabinet minister Milind Narwekar said that all demands of Jarange have been accepted by the government and there is no reason to enter the city.
“Republic day is a pious day. There are children celebrating every day. All his demands have been accepted so therev is no reason to protest in Mumbai anymore,” Narwekar told the media.
CM Shinde on Wednesday appealed to Jarange Patil to call off the protest.
“We are determined to provide reservation to the community. But it has to be legally strong,” Shinde said.
The agitation comes even as the state government has put deadline of 31 January on the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes to complete its survey to determine the social and financial status of the community.
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