Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 1: Activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday intensified his hunger strike at Azad Maidan, demanding that the Maharashtra government issue a government resolution (GR) on Maratha reservations based on existing records.

“We won’t budge from here until our demands are met, even if the Fadnavis government fires bullets at us,” Jarange declared at a press conference. He asserted that Marathas are a sub-caste of Kunbis, an agrarian community enjoying reservation benefits under the OBC category.

Citing “58 lakh records” showing Maratha–Kunbi links, he said, “Those who want a reservation will take it. Don’t generalise Marathas as Kunbis if there is a legal issue.” He accused the government of “wasting time” on the issue.

Taking a swipe at Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, whom he likened to a “chameleon,” Jarange said, “He promised quota for Dhangars and farm loan waivers. Did he deliver? If you don’t give us reservation, you won’t win even a gram panchayat seat.”

Alleging that police were stopping his supporters from reaching Mumbai, Jarange warned that “your MPs and MLAs with their families will have to leave Maharashtra.” He declared that there would either be “a victory procession or my funeral procession.”

At the same time, Jarange urged the thousands gathered at the protest site to maintain peace and not indulge in hooliganism. Referring to NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule being mobbed by slogan-shouting supporters earlier in the day, he said all visitors must be treated respectfully. He also appealed to the media to consider that the protesters were “poor families from rural Maharashtra.”