Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil has called for a mass hunger strike from January 25

Manoj Jarange-Patil Photo Credit: ANI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Tuesday (Dec 17, 2024) announced an indefinite hunger strike in Maharashtra’s Jalna district starting January 25, demanding reservation in jobs and education for the Maratha community under the OBC category. Mr. Jarange-Patil called for a mass fast and appealed to the masses to accompany him to Antarwali Sarti village in his native Jalna.

Mr. Jarange-Patil chose January 25 to begin his seventh fast to complete one year of the ‘Sage Soyre’ demand. ‘Rishi Soyre’ means to recognize all the blood relatives of the members of the Maratha community Kunbis (Agricultural Group). If the government does not fulfill all our demands by January 15th, we will have to face the consequences. We will bring the government to its knees,’ said Mr. Jarange-Patil.

Withdrawing from the assembly polls on November 4, Mr. Jarange Patil is all set to face the newly formed government. This time, the workers have called for a mass fast and have also hinted at moving to Mumbai if necessary. “All community members who join me in Sarati also come prepared for Mumbai,” said Mr. Jarange Patil, adding that once again the Marathas must show their unity.

Urging the people to support the 25th January strike, Shri Jarange Patil directed the people to hold village level meetings and build a large network. He also asked Maratha community activists to print invitations and go door-to-door inviting people to participate in the protest. “This may be the last, as my health no longer supports me to go on hunger strike. I want you to participate and carry it forward, so I appeal to every Maratha to come with their relatives and lend their support.

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Meanwhile, Chhagan Bhujbal, an MLA from Yeola in Nashik district, claimed that his stance on activist Manoj Jarange Patil had led to his exclusion from the cabinet. “I stood up for other backward class communities when Maratha quota activists were demanding inclusion in the OBC category,” said prominent OBC leader Mr. Bhujbal.