Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Thursday called off his 20-day hunger strike and gave the Maharashtra government three months to consider and act on his demands. He also warned that the agitation could be taken to Mumbai if the demands were not addressed within the deadline.
Jarange-Patil announced the decision after addressing a large gathering at Patoda in Beed district and holding discussions with a government delegation. His decision came amid concerns over his deteriorating health and doubts about whether he would be able to continue his planned march towards Mumbai. The government delegation included ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dada Bhuse, MLC Prasad Lad, MLA Suresh Dhas and senior officials.
Jarange-Patil, who had been fasting for 20 days, said his physical condition had weakened considerably and that he was finding it difficult to undertake a long journey with thousands of supporters following him. He appealed to members of the Maratha community not to follow his vehicle after he left Patoda and instead asked them to meet him at Khopoli.
He had earlier said that he might have to abandon the Mumbai march because of his deteriorating health. Addressing supporters at around 2 am, he said he could barely move his limbs after stopping intravenous fluids on September 12.
“Fighting for the children of my community has taken a toll on my body,” Jarange-Patil said, asserting that he would continue to press for the community’s demands.
He said the movement had made progress following the identification of around 58 lakh historical records, or ‘nondi’, which he claimed could help nearly 2.5 crore members of the Maratha community obtain reservation benefits. He demanded that the Maharashtra government formally recognise the relevant records through an official gazette.
Jarange-Patil also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the government’s handling of the reservation issue. He claimed that the records collected during the movement had been secured digitally and alleged that there had been attempts to undermine his agitation. His allegations against Fadnavis were not independently established in the reports.
He also questioned the government’s argument concerning fruit orchard owners in Western Maharashtra in the context of reservation. Jarange-Patil asked why members of OBC communities who own orchards could receive reservation benefits while similar considerations were being raised against the Maratha community.
Jarange-Patil said continuing an extensive rally while remaining on an indefinite hunger strike was no longer physically possible. He indicated that, subject to his health and discussions with the police, he could travel directly towards Mumbai from Patoda.
Following the talks with the government delegation, he agreed to end the fast and give the state government three months to work on his demands. The government, meanwhile, has indicated that work on the issues raised by Jarange-Patil is underway.
Speaking about his family, Jarange-Patil said he had urged them to maintain their dignity and remain courageous if he were to die during the agitation.
“I have told my family to live with self-respect,” he said, adding that he had asked his son to remain courageous if he sacrificed his life for the community.
