Pune: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday reiterated his decision to go on an indefinite hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati village from Saturday, even as Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, chairman of the cabinet sub-committee formed to oversee the issue, said he would meet the activist on Friday to convince him not to restart the agitation.
Jarange Accuses Government of Betrayal
Jarange accused the state government of not fulfilling the promises made to implement the Maratha reservation. “The state has cheated the entire community. It has not taken any steps to keep the assurances given over the last three years,” he told reporters in Antarwali Sarati on Thursday.
“I am determined to start the agitation from Saturday, despite the high temperatures. I will sit under the sun without any pandal. The state should realize how angry the community is that the Maratha reservation has not been implemented,” he added.
Government's Efforts to Pacify Jarange
Meanwhile, Vikhe Patil said he would visit Antarwali Sarati on Friday to convince Jarange not to restart the stir. “The chief minister is positive on the Maratha reservation issue. The state government implemented the Hyderabad Gazette as per Jarange’s demand. I will apprise him about the steps being taken to ensure sustainable reservation for the Maratha community,” he said.
OBC Activists Criticize Jarange
OBC activists have criticized both the state government and Jarange over the issue, claiming that acceptance of all demands by the Maratha activist would adversely impact the OBC reservation quota. Activist Laxman Hake said, “Jarange has no legal knowledge and his demands are not practical. The government should not succumb to his pressure and accept the demands. In fact, he should not be entertained anymore.”
The standoff continues as the Maratha community awaits a resolution to the long-standing reservation demand.
