Jarange says Mumbai march certain as Maratha quota fast enters 13th day

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said his march to Mumbai was certain and that the date for the mobilisation would be announced after supporters gather at his protest site on September 12.

Jarange, whose indefinite hunger strike seeking reservation for the Maratha community entered its 13th day, said he was not waiting for a delegation from the Maharashtra government to visit the protest venue at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district.

“I am definitely going to Mumbai. Once we assemble on September 12, we will announce the date,” he told reporters.

Jarange has been demanding reservation for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He has also sought implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the community.

With concerns mounting over his health due to the prolonged fast, Jarange said he would monitor the functioning of camps being organised to issue Kunbi certificates and assess whether they were being conducted in response to his agitation.

“We have to respond according to the situation. Let us see how the camps for Kunbi certificates are conducted,” he said.

On Wednesday, Jarange had accused state minister and Maratha quota sub-committee chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of betraying the community by relying on assurances and "sweet talk". He had warned that he would take the agitation to Mumbai after September 12 if his demands remained unaddressed.

Jarange also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat, saying his relationship with Shinde had deteriorated because of Shirsat.

“I had spoken respectfully about Eknath Shinde for three years. But he is now speaking in favour of a party and not the community,” he alleged.

He said he would continue to raise issues concerning what he described as mistakes by the chief minister and deputy chief ministers.

“I will speak for the community, not for any political party,” Jarange said.