Jalna, Aug 28 (PTI) Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Friday called for mobilising Maratha community members a day ahead of his scheduled hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati village, and threatened to march to Mumbai if the government failed to accept demands.
He launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and cabinet minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the sub-committee on Maratha reservation-related issues.
Jarange alleged that the government was not taking adequate steps to issue Kunbi (OBC) certificates to eligible Marathas whose records had been traced.
He appealed to members of the community to join the agitation, saying those whose applications for Kunbi certificates had not been accepted, as well as those whose records had been found but certificates had not been issued, should come to Antarwali Sarati village.
“Do not remain at home. Come out to save the future of your children,” he said while addressing reporters.
The quota activist ridiculed Vikhe Patil, questioning his ability to understand the complexities of the Maratha reservation issue.
“Vikhe Patil is mainly concerned with matters related to sugar factories. He knows nothing and doesn’t understand anything, except factories. Whether the sugar produced is fine or coarse, and whether jaggery has been produced or it has turned into lumps,” Jarange said.
He also referred to a statement allegedly made by Revenue Minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule regarding the number of records identified.
“Bawankule said there were 22 lakh records. When he was asked, he said there may not be that many. And you want to become the saviour of the Marathas? You have been made chairman of the sub-committee for the Marathas. How much will you ridicule and deceive them?” a combative Jarange questioned.
He reiterated the allegation that the government was trying to reduce the number of 58 lakh Kunbi records identified earlier.
Jarange urged the Mahayuti government to issue an appropriate resolution (GR) addressing the community’s demands.
“Give Marathas a proper GR. Otherwise, we will not keep you in positions of authority, and you will no longer have authority in your hands,” Jarange said while naming ministers Vikhe Patil, Uday Samant, and Shambhuraj Desai.
Jarange said the agitation will take place at Antarwali Sarati; however, if the government fails to accept our demands, we will move the agitation to Mumbai.
“A large number of Marathas would eventually march towards Mumbai in phases,” he warned. PTI COR NSK
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