Jarange’s hunger strike under sun starts tomorrow, Vikhe meeting today

Pune: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday reiterated that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike in Antarwali Sarati village from Saturday, even as chairman of the cabinet sub-committee formed to oversee the issue Radhakrisha Vikhe Patil said he would meet the activist on Friday to convince him to not start an agitation again.

Jarange has accused the govt of not fulfilling the promises given to implement the Maratha reservation. “The state has cheated the entire community. It has not taken any steps to keep the assurances being given since the last three years,” he told reporters in Antarwali Sarati on Thursday.

“I am determined to start the agitation from Saturday, despite the high temperatures. I will sit under the sun without any pandal. The state should realise how angry the community is that Maratha reservation has not been implemented,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vikhe Patil said he would visit Antarwali Sarati on Friday to convince Jarange about not restarting the stir. “The chief minister is positive on the Maratha reservation issue. The state govt implemented the Hyderabad Gazette as per Jarange’s demand. I will apprise him about the steps being taken to ensure sustainable reservation for the Maratha community,” he said.

Meanwhile, OBC activists have criticised the state govt and Jarange over the issue, while claiming that acceptance of all demands of the Maratha activist would adversely impact the OBC reservation quota. Activist Laxman Hake said, “Jarange has no legal knowledge and his demands are not practical. The govt should not succumb to his pressure and accept the demands. In fact, he should not be entertained anymore.”