Supporters of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil gathered for a protest in Pune on February 24, 2024. | Photo Credit: ANI
Despite roadblocks set up by Maratha quota agitators in various villages under the guidance of activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Saturday, Jarange-Patil claimed that the government was plotting to falsely accuse him and have him arrested. “There are efforts being made to entrap me and have me arrested. However, I will thwart these plans with the support of the Maratha community,” said Mr. Jarange-Patil, addressing the crowd in Antarwali-Sarati village in Jalna district.
Engaged in his fourth hunger strike to demand reservation for Marathas under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, the activist alleged that there were individuals covertly working to incriminate him. Mr. Jarange-Patil mentioned that his protest had been ongoing for the past 15 days (since February 10), yet the government seemed indifferent.
“I am surviving on saline, experiencing chest pains, but the government has not shown up… They are providing excuses. If they do come, we will welcome them… However, it appears the government is evading us. It is acting against the interests of the Maratha community,” expressed Mr. Jarange-Patil. Several of Jarange-Patil’s ‘associates’ have recently criticized him for his adamant position, accusing him of being a ‘fraud’ and a show-off whose hunger strikes and meetings were allegedly backed by prominent politicians.
Despite the recent passing of a bill by the government granting a separate 10% reservation to the Maratha community in education and government employment, the activist remains resolute, insisting that Marathas should only receive reservation under the OBC category as a separate quota would exceed the constitutional 50% limit and not hold up in court.
Mr. Jarange-Patil also cautioned the Shinde government that if protesters conducting roadblocks were arrested or faced legal action, the Home Ministry (under Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis) would face repercussions. He has urged the Maratha community to assemble at Antarwali-Sarati on Sunday to collectively decide on the next steps of their protest.
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