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Maratha quota activistic Manoj Jarange connected Thursday (May 28, 2026) said the Maharashtra authorities would beryllium liable if helium suffers wellness complications during his indefinite hunger strike, which helium declared would statesman straight nether the scorching summertime prima connected May 30.
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Mr. Jarange had said earlier that helium would statesman a accelerated implicit the community’s “unfulfilled” demands, and fixed the Maharashtra authorities a deadline of May 29 to administer Kunbi caste certificates successful Marathwada.
“I person already fixed capable clip for discussions. Now the clip has travel to instrumentality a tougher stand. If I dice owed to heatstroke, the Chief Minister and the authorities volition beryllium responsible,” Mr. Jarange said. He further declared that his agitation astatine Antarwali Sarati colony successful Jalna territory would beryllium “unlike” immoderate protestation seen successful the country. “This time, I volition not beryllium nether a shelter. There volition beryllium nary tent, nary shade. I volition springiness up water, food, and adjacent footwear during the protest. Either the authorities volition act, oregon I volition perish,” helium said.
Mr. Jarange besides appealed to members of the Maratha assemblage not to stitchery astatine his protestation venue, astir 400 km from Mumbai. “Do not travel here. I volition beryllium unsocial successful the blazing vigor of May,” helium said. The Maratha person alleged that contempt repeated peaceful protests, rallies, and negotiations, nary factual steps had been taken regarding preservation for the Maratha community.
A fewer days ago, BJP Member of Legislative Council Prasad Lad had met him for discussions. However, according to Mr. Jarange, nary advancement was made afterwards.
The activistic has accused the authorities of filing mendacious cases against Maratha youths and questioned the “delay” successful providing jobs to families of those who "sacrificed" their lives during the agitation. “Maratha votes are needed during elections, but preservation is inactive denied. The authorities claims to person issued 3 lakh Kunbi certificates. Is that immoderate favour?” helium asked.
Mr. Jarange besides questioned the criteria being cited against preservation demands. “You accidental occidental Maharashtra has prosperous orchards and affluent farmers. OBC [Other Backward Class] communities besides person orchards and prosperity. Is wealthiness oregon horticulture a criterion for reservation?” helium said.
Calling his upcoming protestation a “decisive” battle, Mr. Jarange said, “We explained everything peacefully, took retired rallies, and inactive preservation has not been granted. The children of the Maratha assemblage merit to go officers and unafraid their future.”
Mr. Jarange has been demanding that each Marathas beryllium recognised arsenic Kunbis, an agrarian caste included successful the OBC category, which volition marque them eligible for preservation successful authorities jobs and education.
