Maratha Quota Issue: Manoj Jarange Ends Nine-Day Fast; Ultimatums Issued To State Govt| Details

After an intense six-hour discussion with government delegates, Manoj Jarange-Patil, who had been on a hunger strike for nine days, decided to conclude his fast.

He granted the Maharashtra government time until 2nd January, 2024, to implement effective reservation for the Maratha community, constituting 33% of the state's population.

Jarange-Patil, in his forties, opted for fruit juice and water after a meeting with the delegates, following an all-party meeting's request to end his hunger strike.

"We seek complete reservation, not partial reservation," emphasized Jarange-Patil.

A delegation, including retired high court judges Sandeep Shinde, M G Gaikwad, government officials, and Maharashtra ministers, engaged in discussions with Jarange-Patil.

What is going on with the Maratha Quota Agitation?

According to a HT report, the most recent flashpoint is the resurgence of the Maratha reservation agitation, which has erupted in violence in various regions and poses a substantial threat to the stability of the Eknath Shinde government.

Among all the states, Maharashtra has experienced unparalleled upheaval. With three chief ministers in just five years, party divisions, family disputes, early morning oath-taking ceremonies, and protracted legal battles, Maharashtra seems to be perpetually caught in a whirlwind of chaotic events.

"This is the last chance for the government to give a quota for the Marathas. We told the delegation that we cannot accept reservation for Maratha only in Marathwada. We want it for the entire community for all Maharashtra. I do not want reservation just for the benefit of the Maratha community in Marathwada but the whole of State," said, Jarange Patil as quoted by the Hindu.

Jarange Patil addresses a press conference over the Maratha reservation issue, in Jalna.

Granting a nearly two-month reprieve to the beleaguered Eknath Shinde-led government over the Maratha reservation issue, quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on 2nd November finally agreed to withdraw his indefinite strike nine days after a delegation from the State government persuaded him to call off his hunger fast.

According to the Hindu report, while calling off his fast in Jalna's Antarwali Sarati village, Patil nonetheless kept up the pressure on the government, stating that 24th December would be the last day for the government to grant blanket reservation for all Marathas in the State by giving OBC Kunbi certificates to all members of the community. He also said that the ban on politicians entering villages would be temporarily withdrawn.