Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Thursday ended his indefinite fast after a delegation from Maharashtra government met him at Antarwali Sarate. While ending his 9-day-old fast, he gave two more months to the state government and asked them to resolve the issue by January 2, 2024.
Agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, Industries minister Uday Samant, Housing minister Atul Save and independent MLA Bachchu Kadu comprised the delegation that negotiated with jarange-Patil for over two hours before he announced that he is withdrawing the fast.
“This is the last time I am giving some more time”: Patil
“Take time but provide the reservation. This is the last time that I am giving you some more time. Take two months, otherwise Marathas will stop Mumbai,” Jarange-Patil said as he withdrew the fast.
Some of the Maratha activists present at the venue opposed the feat and wanted jarange-Patil to continue the fast, however, he calmed them down stating that the community can grant some more time if they are assuring reservation.
"The committee formed by the government should take some more time but work on ensuring that all Marathas get reservation. The government has admitted that their committee will work across the state and submit a report. The government is ready to give certificates to the Kunbi Marathas of Marathwada but we want the Marathas from the entire state to get reservation. That's why I have decided that the government should give some more time," Jarange-Patil added.
Just before the state government delegation, former head of Maharashtra backward caste commission Justice (rtd) MJ Gaikwad along with Justice Sunil Shukre, who are part of the government committee on Maratha reservation, too met Manoj Jarange-Patil at Antarwali Sarate on Thursday. They appraised Jarange-Patil of the hurdles in 'immediately' granting reservation to the Maratha community while stating that the community shall certainly get the reservation as their committee is trying to do away with all the shortcomings pointed out by the court, but the process will take some time, they added while trying to pursue Jarange-Patil to withdraw his agitation.
Independent MLA Bachchu Kadu, who had facilitated the meeting, too was present on the occasion.
Five demands
Jarange-Patil said the community has five demands: All Marathas should get Kunbi caste certificates; more than one institution be appointed for surveys necessary for Maratha reservation; enough human power be made available for the surveys; the surveys should not be delayed and Marathas be given reservation if other castes get it.
While replying to the demands raised by Jarange-Patil, the Judges told him that a hasty move on reservation won't sustain legal scrutiny, any decision on issues like reservation can't be made in a day or two, efforts are being made to give maratha community a lasting reservation, efforts are being made to gather robust data for the decision on reservation to withstand the scrutiny of the court, actions are being taken as per the directives of the Supreme Court, all these things will need more time, The court hasn't agreed that the maratha is a backward community, A new commission is being set up and that if things are taken a bit patiently the court would certainly rule in favour of the community.
The Judges also wrote down the suggestions made by Jarange-Patil to be handed over to the committee working on devising methodology for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas.
