Jarange urges Marathas to assemble in Jalna on Sep 12; warns of shutdown if supporters face action
Jalna, Sep 7 (PTI) As his indefinite hunger strike entered its 10th day, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday called for a massive gathering in Maharashtra's Jalna on September 12 and warned of a statewide shutdown if peaceful protestors face police action.
Addressing reporters at the protest venue in Antarwali Sarti village, Jarange accused state ministers of "colluding" to deceive the Maratha community and alleged that authorities were planning to stop protestors at various places if they proceeded towards Mumbai.
The activist urged people from across major districts, including Pune, Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai, to assemble in full strength on September 12.
"Do not come to Antarwali now, but on September 12, not a single Maratha should stay behind," he said.
Jarange, who began his latest hunger strike on August 29, has been demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category, including implementation of the Hyderabad 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.
He also appealed to supporters not to crowd the protest venue during the ongoing fast, and urged them not to retaliate if they faced harassment from police while travelling to Antarwali Sarti on September 12.
"We will not cause any trouble to the police even if they trouble the protesters. But if the blood of even one protester is shed, Maharashtra should shut down within 10 minutes," he warned.
Police, meanwhile, detained four OBC activists who launched a counter-hunger strike metres away from Jarange's protest site in Antarwali Sarti, citing law and order concerns.
