Pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Thursday suspended his indefinite hunger strike while giving a warning to the state government to stage a fresh protest in Mumbai if the demands made by him are not met.
He further declared that the state government would not be able to stop the Maratha community from holding protests in Mumbai to press its demands.
Jarange-Patil announced the suspension of his indefinite hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district after BJP legislator Suresh Dhas gave him juice.
Jarange-Patil has been on indefinite hunger strike since last Saturday to press for the inclusion of the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Further, he has demanded the implementation of the draft notification that recognised Kunbis as “sage soyare” (blood relatives) of Maratha community members for granting reservation to the latter under the OBC category.
The state government did not approach Jarange-Patil nor react to Jarange-Patil’s indefinite hunger strike, the seventh in the last 16 months.
“If the government does not take a decision soon regarding our demands, the next agitation will be held in Mumbai,” he said.
“We want all the demands to be implemented. If the protest starts in Mumbai, I will not back down from there. Even if the police resort to lathi charge. The ministers and their sons will be targeted,” he said.
Jarange-Patil’s agitation coincides with the state-wide protests against the brutal killing of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.
The protestors include members from ruling and opposition parties in addition to various social and non-government organisations who are at the forefront to demand the resignation of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde as his close associate Walmik Karad, who is currently in jail and booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, is allegedly linked with the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Jarange has demanded capital punishment for the assailants involved in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Delhi for the Assembly poll campaigning, welcomed Jarange-Patil’s decision, saying that whatever decisions taken for the development of the Maratha community were taken by the MahaYuti government.
“It is the duty of the government to address issues within the legal framework. The demands should be within the framework of law and constitution. If they will, then the government will respond,” he said.
Some people politicising Manipur’s ethnic violence, confusing people: CM Biren Singh
Biren Singh said that his government's opposition to the immigrants in the state is because they are engaged in drug-related activities and poppy cultivation and these migrants are also creating serious socio-economic problems for the indigenous people.
India world's go-to launch pad: PM Modi
India is becoming the world's go-to launch pad with a record number of foreign satellites being launched from the country in the last decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.
Terrorist movement detected along LoC in J&K's Poonch, firing exchange on
Alert troops detected terrorist movement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Khari Karmara area of J&K’s Poonch district on Thursday after which a firing exchange broke out between the soldiers and the terrorists and is still on, the Army said.
Budget session of Parliament kicks off tomorrow
The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on Friday (January 31) with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman scheduled to table the Economic Survey after President Droupadi Murmu addresses the joint session of both Houses in the morning.
PM Modi shares glimpses of his journey towards Viksit Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a series of captivating pictures highlighting his key engagements throughout January, showcasing India's journey towards a "Viksit Bharat".
No survivors yet of mid-air Washington DC collision
No survivors have yet been found of American Eagle Flight 5342 that collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan National Airport in Washington DC Wednesday night.
Will make proposals based on NE’s socio-economic & geographical situations: Arvind Panagariya
The 16th Finance Commission while making its recommendations would keep in mind the socio-economic and geographical situations of the northeastern states, the panel chairman Arvind Panagariya said here on Thursday.
Assam Rifles, Tripura Police seize drugs worth Rs 6 crore
Assam Rifles, in coordination with police, conducted a joint operation and seized and destroyed ganja (marijuana) plantations worth around Rs 6 crore in Tripura, officials said on Thursday.