After Marathwada, Jarange Patil takes Maratha reservation agitation to Western Maharashtra

It will be held in Solapur in Western Maharashtra. Gradually, the rallies will cross the entire sugar belt which includes Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Ahmednagar, and Kolhapur. The second phase of agitation will conclude at Nashik in North Maharashtra.”

Earlier, Jarange-Patil held rallies across eight districts of Marathwada region from July 6 to 13. Last August, Jarange Patil started his agitation from Antarwali Sarati in district Jalna in the Marathwada region.

While reiterating his stand that the Maratha reservation agitation is not political, Jarange Patil was quick to criticise the government for failing to fulfill the demand of implementation draft notification on “sagesoyare”, which entails issuing kunbi certificates to Maratha’s blood relatives in order to avail reservation under OBC category.

Putting the ball in the government’s court, the Maratha activist said, “It is up to them to decide on our demands. If they agree on the ‘sage soyare’ demand, we’ll be good. Otherwise, I will continue fasting and agitation. I don’t care whether I am alive or dead. My agitation is for the rights of Marathas, ” he explained.

Attempts to persuade Jarange-Patil not to take on a fast are underway with leaders and elected MLAs from ruling parties visiting him and engaging in talks. But Jarange-Patil seems determined to start his protest.

“Why are they not issuing kunbi certificates to Marathas blood relatives? If they are committed to reservation, they should act, ” he argued.

Earlier, CM Eknath Shinde had said, ” Mahayuti has already given ten per cent reservation to Marathas under SEBC Act. The decision regarding draft notification on ‘sage soyare’ is under process following six lakh suggestions and objections.”

The state government finds itself stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand Jarange Patil has threatened fast and protest, on the other hand OBC organisations have warned of their own protests if Maratha gets reservation comes under the OBC category.

OBC activist Laxman Hake said, ” The OBC quota should remain intact. We will vehemently oppose inclusion of Marathas under OBC category.”

Ahead of the Assembly polls, Mahayuti reckons reservation politics will be detrimental for them as it has already led to caste polarisation in the Marathwada region.