Jalna, Sep 6 (PTI) Activists of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community on Sunday launched an indefinite hunger strike in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, meters away from Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s protest site.
The development came on the ninth day of Jarange’s indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarti village, where his health has reportedly deteriorated after he refused medical aid, water, and intravenous fluids to demand OBC status for the Maratha community.
Jarange has been demanding reservation for the Maratha community in the OBC category, including implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette and Satara Gazette records and issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community.
Kunbi is a traditional agrarian (farming) community that officially falls under the OBC category, making them eligible for reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
OBC activists Mangesh Sasane, Vitthal Talekar, Satish Kulal, and Babasaheb Batule launched their strike at Sonia Nagar in the Antarvali Sarti village, stating that their agitation aims to safeguard the constitutional rights and reservation share of the OBC community.
Speaking to reporters, Sasane alleged that pressure was being exerted on the state government through Jarange’s ongoing agitation, raising apprehensions that the OBC community’s share of reservation could be compromised.
“Around 22 lakh caste certificates have so far been issued to members of the Maratha community. Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and MLC Prasad Lad are extending all possible support. We are protesting through constitutional means to protect our rights and entitlements,” he said.
Sasane questioned the state government’s decision to appoint nodal officers to facilitate the issuance of caste certificates to Marathas based on Kunbi records, calling the move “illegal”.
He noted that several caste certificates previously issued to Marathas were rejected by caste verification committees upon scrutiny.
“Jarange is questioning why the verification committees rejected these certificates. Some ministers are conspiring to facilitate the entry of Marathas into the OBC category,” Sasane alleged, criticising the government for giving “special treatment” to one community.
The OBC protesters also demanded financial assistance and government jobs for the families of youths from the community who allegedly died by suicide over the reservation issue.
Sasane warned visiting ministers that their actions regarding the quota issue would be closely monitored.
Meanwhile, Jarange’s associates claimed that the activist’s condition has deteriorated significantly.
He has reportedly refused medical treatment, intravenous fluids and water for the past two days while protesting what he described as the state government’s delay in implementing its earlier assurances.
Earlier, Jarange had warned that if the government failed to fulfil his demands, he would march to Mumbai to intensify the agitation.
In view of the two protests being held in close proximity, police have made elaborate security arrangements in the area to prevent confrontation between the OBC and Maratha protesters. PTI COR ARU
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