Will go to Mumbai to press for Maratha quota implementation: Manoj Jarange

Manoj Jarange. Pic/PTI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said he would go to Mumbai on February 18 or 19 to press for the demand of converting the Maharashtra government's draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law, reported news agency PTI.

His comments came a day after the Maharashtra government said a special session of the state legislature would be held on February 20 to discuss reservation and other demands of the Maratha community.

Jarange's health condition has deteriorated, said an activist close to him as he continued the indefinite fast for the sixth day at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for the demand for inclusion of the Maratha community into the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, reported PTI.

Speaking to reporters in a feeble voice, Jarange said, "I would go to Mumbai on February 18 or 19 to press for the implementation of the draft notification on 'sage soyre' (blood relatives) of Kunbi Marathas," reported PTI.

Kishor Markad, a Maratha quota activist who is monitoring Jarange's health, said the government representatives should talk to him and give an assurance on the implementation of the notification, reported PTI.

On Wednesday evening, Jarange was given intravenous (IV) fluids when he was asleep during the Maratha quota protest.

Agitated on learning about being given IV fluids without his knowledge, Jarange said if the government wants to provide medical treatment to him, it should implement the Maratha quota immediately or else he would again go to Mumbai for another round of protest, reported PTI.

Jarange's associates also gave him a glass of water on Wednesday, Markad said, reported PTI.

This is the fourth time in less than a year that Jarange has been observing a hunger strike demanding the inclusion of the Maratha community into the OBC grouping.

Among other things, Jarange has sought that a special session of the Maharashtra legislature be convened to convert the draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law.

Among other things, Jarange has sought that a special session of the Maharashtra legislature be convened to convert the draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law.

Warning the government, Jarange said, "In Ramayana, Lord Hanuman set Lanka on fire with the tail. If I die during my protest, the Marathas will turn Maharashtra into Lanka."

He also threatened that no public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be allowed to be held in Maharashtra.

The activist appealed to his community members to observe a peaceful 'bandh' called by the Maratha outfits in Jalna on Wednesday.

Jarange accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar of deceiving the Marathas by failing to implement the draft notification on "sage soyre" or blood relatives and for not withdrawing cases filed against the Maratha protestors during the agitation last year.

He alleged that Ajit Pawar was supporting minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal even as the latter was against the inclusion of Marathas into the OBC category.

(With inputs from PTI)