Maharashtra: Maratha Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s Health Deteriorates on Day 5 of Hunger Strike

Jalna, 14th February 2024: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil’s health is rapidly declining on the fifth day of his hunger strike, leading authorities to administer intravenous medications. The government doctor overseeing Jarange-Patil’s health has reported worsening conditions, including nosebleeds attributed to the prolonged hunger strike.

Commencing his hunger strike on February 10, Jarange-Patil is advocating for the enactment of a law reflecting the draft notification issued by the Maharashtra state social justice department last month. The notification proposes granting Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community, a demand championed by the activist.

The draft notification, released on January 27, aligns with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s commitment to issue Kunbi certificates to 57 lakh Marathas with Kunbi antecedents. Shinde clarified that blood relatives of Marathas with Kunbi antecedents, supported by affidavits, would also receive Kunbi certificates. Kunbi, a sub-caste of Marathas, currently enjoys reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. Jarange-Patil insists on Marathas receiving reservations from the existing OBC quota based on this classification.

After calling off his march to Mumbai on January 27, Jarange-Patil emphasized the need for legal scrutiny of the draft notification. However, he and his team expressed dissatisfaction with the text, threatening to obstruct Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign in the state for the Lok Sabha elections unless their demands were met.

Sanjay Lakhe-Patil, Maharashtra State coordinator of Maratha Kranti Morcha, voiced disappointment, stating, “There is a feeling of having been cheated by the state government… There is a bandh being observed in many villages in almost all the districts of central Maharashtra.”

Despite this, Jarange-Patil’s threat to impede PM Modi’s tour has drawn criticism from leaders in Maharashtra’s ruling coalition. Union Minister Narayan Rane, in a statement, criticized Jarange-Patil, saying, “Manoj Jarange-Patil has started babbling out of his unstable mind. I do not consider him a Maratha leader. He has crossed his limits by announcing not to allow PM Modi to tour Maharashtra. He will be shown the real strength of Maratha even if he moves from his place during Modi’s tour. Do not cross your limit…”