Maratha Quota Activist Suspends Hunger Strike After Government Talks
Maratha Quota Activist Ends Hunger Strike
Photo: @BefittingFacts/X
Patoda/Beed, Sep 17: Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent activist advocating for Maratha reservation, has decided to end his 20-day hunger strike following discussions with a government team that included Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dadaji Bhuse, along with MLAs Prasad Lad and Suresh Dhas, and the Beed District Collector.
After the negotiations, Jarange Patil issued a 90-day ultimatum for the government to implement the Satara Gazette. He warned that if the government fails to meet this demand, he would lead a march to Mumbai. While he announced the end of his hunger strike, he made it clear that the movement would persist.
Jarange Patil is seeking assurances that the 58 lakh identified Kunbi records will remain intact, offering assistance in locating these records. He criticized the Shinde Committee for its lack of action and accused the government of negligence, asserting that their struggle will continue until they achieve their goals. He emphasized that antagonizing the Maratha community is unacceptable.
He expressed that despite any past mistakes by Minister Vikhe Patil, the community should treat him kindly, and he conveyed similar feelings towards Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, although he noted that this sentiment is not applicable at the moment. He stated that he would not remain silent if ministers criticized them and highlighted that officials who previously avoided discussions have now come forward to negotiate, stressing that the dignity of the community is more important than reservations.
The government delegation provided assurances, including the implementation of the Satara, Kolhapur, Pune, and Aundh Gazettes within three months through a Government Resolution (GR), the issuance of a revised GR for Kunbi certificates in line with the Hyderabad Gazette, continued validation of certificates issued under the Hyderabad Gazette, and no reduction in the 58 lakh Kunbi records identified by the Shinde Committee, along with the revalidation of revoked Kunbi certificates for four elected representatives from Marathwada.
Jarange Patil clarified that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are not his adversaries, but he questioned what options he has when faced with attacks. He urged the assignment of competent officials to locate Kunbi records, warning that if the government is merely stalling, the protests will carry on. He specifically called for the validation of the four revoked Kunbi certificates of Marathwada representatives and requested CM Fadnavis to publicly address his key concerns through a press conference or video statement.
During the discussions, Minister Vikhe-Patil explained that the Satara Gazette involves a comprehensive 1,100-page report that requires three to four months of review before any action can be taken. Regarding the Hyderabad Gazette GR, which is currently under judicial review, Vikhe-Patil assured that measures would be taken to prevent any stay order.
In response, Jarange Patil questioned why the Maratha community continues to be neglected and demanded the immediate implementation of the Satara, Kolhapur, Pune, and Aundh Gazettes through a GR.
He pointed out a recent government resolution that categorized Hindu Wani, Hindu Vaishya, and Vaishya Wani as the same community, demanding a similar resolution that states, "Maratha and Kunbi are one and the same."
Jarange Patil requested that the GR explicitly state, as it did for other communities, that Marathas were historically Kunbi before independence and were excluded from reservations due to an oversight. He insisted that commitments regarding the 58 Kunbi records must be signed by Chief Minister Fadnavis or publicly assured by him through the media.
BJP MLA Prasad Lad mentioned that Jarange Patil concluded his hunger strike following appeals from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. Lad confirmed that the government is committed to fulfilling the promises made to Jarange within the next 90 days.
Previously, Jarange Patil had planned to head to Mumbai to initiate a protest at Azad Maidan on September 19. However, police denied permission due to security concerns and potential operational strain during the Ganesh festival. As he marched towards Mumbai, his health declined after he ceased consuming water and IV fluids. The successful outreach by the government delegation in Beed led him to halt the fast.
Speaking to his supporters, Jarange Patil extended greetings on Marathwada Liberation Day, commemorating the end of Nizam rule in the region. He assured the community that he would always stand by them and would not relent until the Gazette is secured.
Addressing Minister Dadaji Bhuse and MLA Prasad Lad, he stressed that the government must implement the GR for the Satara, Aundh, and Bombay Gazettes, highlighting the widespread public support across Western Maharashtra.
He concluded by reiterating that the government must provide written guarantees that not a single Kunbi record out of the 58 lakh records will be removed, and that certificates must be granted in accordance with the Hyderabad Gazette.