OBC activists end fast in Jalna after meeting govt delegation

Both Hake and Waghmare were on fast since June 13 demanding that OBC quota not be diluted. Bhujbal, who led the delegation that met them, promised that OBC reservation will not be harmed at any point. “Some people are trying to create animosity within communities over the issue of reservation… we neither offend anyone nor threaten anyone. Pankaja Munde did not hurt anyone’s feelings but still some people tried communal politics, came together and defeated her. If this continues then OBCs will need reservation in the Lok Sabha and Assembly as well,” he said.

Bhujbal added that the reservation fight has not ended and irrespective of political affiliations every OBC worker should stick together. “If we stick together, Dalits, tribals will join us,” he said.

In January, the state government came out with a draft notification to grant Kunbi status to the ‘sage soyare’ (relatives by birth or marriage) of Marathas who have already established that they belong to the agrarian Kunbi community, an OBC group.

Activist Manoj Jarange Patil has demanded that all Marathas should get reservation under OBC category. OBC leaders, on the other hand, have demanded that the government scrap the draft notification.

The delegation of ministers included Bhujbal, Girish Mahajan, Dhananjay Munde, Atul Loke, Sandipan Bhumare and Uday Samant.

Bhujbal maintained that nobody has opposed Maratha reservation. “We have always supported independent reservation for Marathas. But why do you want to get into OBC reservation. Let our reservation be as it is and don’t reduce it,” he said.