Jalna: Maratha Reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is on a hunger strike since the last 15 days seeking reservation for the Maratha community, on Tuesday gave a month’s time to the Maharashtra government to fulfil his demand.
However, Jarange-Patil asserted that he would not leave the protest venue till his demand was totally met.
The activist referred to experts, scholars and the government and conceded that giving reservation to the Maratha reservation is a legal process.
“The process of law is long, so it is necessary to give time to the state government. 40 years have been given so far. We will give one month’s time to the state government. But we will not leave this venue till we get reservation and if we don’t get reservation after the 31st day we will not allow any minister to cross Maharashtra border,” said Jarange-Patil.
EGS and Holticulture minister Sandipan Bumre and former inister Arjun Khotkar met the activist at the protest venue on Tuesday morning on behalf of the state government and handed a letter about the resolutions and decisions taken in the all party meeting held in Mumbai Monday night on the issue.
Later, Jarange-Patil interacted with the villagers and community members who were present there.
The all-party meet on Monday night decided to withdraw the cases filed against the Maratha reservation movement activists and suspend the officials.
Jarange-Patil has laid down five conditions before the government for withdrawing his hunger strike. Besides the pre-condition of implementation of the reservation for the Maratha community within 31 days, he also sought withdrawal of cases against all Maratha reservation workers and suspension of all officials who ordered baton charge on the activists.
He has also demanded the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and his entire Cabinet should come to break the fast, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosle and Udayan Raje Bhosle be placed between the government and the hunger strikers. He asked the government to give all the promises in writing.
