Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 12: BJP legislator Pravin Darekar, a close aide of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Saturday highlighted the MahaYuti government's efforts to address concerns of the Maratha community and appealed to quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to ensure that the proposed agitation in Mumbai remains peaceful and does not disrupt Ganeshotsav celebrations.

Speaking to reporters, Darekar said the administration had consistently extended cooperation to the community and held several rounds of discussions through delegations of ministers and senior leaders.

“Out of 14 demands raised, 12 have already been fulfilled. The remaining one or two demands are entangled in legal frameworks, and the government is making sincere efforts to resolve them,” he said.

“The government has given everything requested for the community's welfare and remains fully prepared for further discussions to understand what additional steps are needed,” Darekar added.

Highlighting the MahaYuti government's record, Darekar claimed that no previous administration had done as much for the Maratha community as the present government led by Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.

Responding to criticism over visits by government delegations, Darekar said resolving the community's core issues was more important than which particular leader visited the protest site.

He pointed out that ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Uday Samant, along with BJP legislator Prasad Lad, had previously met Jarange Patil to discuss the community's concerns.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, Darekar urged the organisers to take into consideration the upcoming festive period.

He noted that Ganeshotsav is celebrated on a large scale in Mumbai and appealed to the organisers to ensure that the proposed demonstrations do not disrupt public life or traditional festivities.

“The Maratha community has historically demonstrated strength through peaceful and disciplined silent marches,” Darekar said.

“We urge the organizers to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and does not cause public disorder or distress during the festival,” he added.

Darekar reiterated that the government remained ready to send representatives and engage in constructive dialogue at any stage.

Earlier, Jarange Patil had announced a march to Mumbai, where he plans to begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19.

Addressing a gathering at Antarwali Sarati, Jarange Patil announced the detailed route of the march and urged the police administration as well as Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to block the protesters.

Jarange Patil said the march represented the pride and existence of the Maratha community.

He appealed to supporters along the route to come out and offer their blessings even if they were unable to travel all the way to Mumbai.

He also urged community members to stop work and join the movement on the specified dates.

“We want to conduct a peaceful, democratic hunger strike to claim our rights. If the police block us anywhere along the highway, we will not push barricades or clash with authorities. We will simply sit down peacefully on the road wherever we are stopped,” he said.