The BRICS TimesManoj Jarange-Patil ended his hunger strike after Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil handed him the official resolution approving his key demands.
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil concluded his five-day hunger strike on Tuesday following a major breakthrough with the Maharashtra government agreeing to several of his critical demands, including issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas to facilitate their inclusion under the OBC quota.
Overcome with emotion, Jarange-Patil described the moment as a personal celebration. “Today is like Diwali for us because our long-pursued demands have been fulfilled,” he said, tears streaming down his face. Carried from the stage to the waiting ambulance by his supporters, he added, “Marathas have triumphed today, and our hearts are full of happiness.”
The activist formally ended his fast in the evening when Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil handed him a copy of the state government resolution that approved his demands. Amid cheers from his supporters gathered at Azad Maidan, Jarange-Patil took a sip of juice from Vikhe-Patil and was immediately taken to a hospital for a medical check-up.
Earlier in the day, he announced that the state government had consented to key Maratha reservation demands after a delegation led by Vikhe-Patil met him at Azad Maidan, where Jarange-Patil had been on an indefinite hunger strike for five days. The government representatives handed over the draft of the resolution, signaling their agreement to his requests.
According to Jarange-Patil, the Maharashtra government has approved the implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes, which recognize Marathas and Kunbis as one community. Additionally, the “Sage Soyare” notification from the previous year, concerning blood and marital relations, will now be enforced, ensuring that all Marathas in Marathwada are classified as Kunbis, a status they held during the Nizam era.
The government has also consented to another significant demand: the withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha protesters, bringing relief to numerous families and supporters of the community.
