Maratha Activist Manoj Jarange Begins Hunger Strike in Mumbai

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil announced on Saturday that he and his supporters will begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai from September 19. The strike demands reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education.

The decision to start the hunger strike was made after a meeting at Antarwali Sarati, where Jarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike since August 29. Jarange and his supporters will begin their march towards Mumbai on September 15, with scheduled halts at Patoda, Shrigonda, Hadapsar, and Khopoli before reaching Mumbai.

Jarange appealed to his supporters to maintain peace during the protest and refrain from causing inconvenience to citizens. He urged them to follow a code of conduct and asserted that the protest would be conducted through democratic means. The activist emphasized the importance of securing reservation, saying, 'We must not retreat now. We must return from Mumbai victorious, having secured reservation.'

The proposed agitation is scheduled during Ganeshotsav, which may pose administrative challenges for the city. Mumbai typically witnesses increased movement of devotees, processions, and visitors to prominent Ganpati mandals during this time. The administration will have to manage the movement of Jarange's supporters alongside traffic, crowds, and security arrangements for Ganeshotsav.

Jarange has been demanding the implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community. The activist's indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati has been ongoing for 15 days, and he has now decided to take the protest to Mumbai.

The Maratha community has been seeking reservation in jobs and education for several years. The issue has been a topic of debate in Maharashtra, with various groups and politicians weighing in on the matter. The state government has been under pressure to find a solution to the issue, which has been a major challenge for the administration.

In a recent reaction to the Maratha reservation row, Amruta Fadnavis stated that it is a 'very sensitive issue' and hopes the government will find a solution. The issue is likely to continue to be a major point of discussion in the state, with the hunger strike and protest in Mumbai expected to draw attention to the community's demands.

The outcome of the hunger strike and protest remains to be seen, but one thing is certain - the Maratha community is determined to secure reservation in jobs and education. With the protest scheduled to take place during Ganeshotsav, it will be a major challenge for the administration to manage the situation and ensure that the protest remains peaceful.

In conclusion, the indefinite hunger strike by Manoj Jarange and his supporters is a significant development in the Maratha reservation issue. The protest in Mumbai is likely to draw attention to the community's demands, and it remains to be seen how the state government will respond to the situation.