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Journalism of Courage
A day after NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal accused him of creating a rift between communities, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil hit back at him on Saturday, saying Friday’s Beed rally was not for the OBC community “but of a specific caste and gang”.
Besides Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde had at Friday’s OBC rally attacked Jarange, which was his first criticism of the activist. In effect, it has now become a Bhujbal and Dhanajay Munde versus Jarange verbal war, with Pankaja Munde, another OBC leader but belonging to BJP, watching from the sidelines.
Speaking to reporters in Jalna, Jarange said, “Bhujbal and his associates are raising the OBC bogey to suit their political convenience.”
Jarange said Bhujbal had nothing to with the poor OBC community. “Even if the OBC community suffers, they have got nothing to do with it. They only use the OBC community for their selfish gains. They will continue to shout OBC, OBC and look for political gains. They have no intention to see the welfare and growth of the OBC community.”
“These leaders are indulging in blackmailing their party. They are creating a rift between OBC and Maratha communities without bothering that the OBC community would have to suffer.”
Jarange said despite being in the government, Bhujbal tried to ignite caste violence. “He is trying to create an atmosphere of terror in Beed. The Home Ministry should get his bail cancelled,” he said.
Praising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom he had been attacking consistently for the last two years, Jarange said, “Fadnavis has won the hearts of the Maratha community. Fadnavis has understood the worth of Bhujbal. Bhujbal is trying to defame Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.” Jarange also praised BJP leader and Minister Pankaja Munde for staying away from the rally.
At the OBC Beed Maha Yalgar rally on Friday, Bhujbal and Munde criticised the activist, alleging he was creating a rift between two communities through his words. “Jarange was spreading venom… He was dividing Marathas and OBCs,” Bhujbal said.
Warning Jarange, Bhujbal said, “If anyone challenges our rights, we will fight it out. We should stand up against any challenges to our rights.”
Emphasising on how the OBC community stood united, Bhujbal said, “At today’s rally, representatives of all 374 castes are present, which shows our unity in diversity. We don’t have to invite people for such rallies, they come on their own conscience.”
On the other hand, Dhananjay Munde, who had always avoided getting into a verbal duel, also launched an attack at the activist without naming him. “One individual is creating such a wide rift between two communities that even brothers had to fight gram panchayat elections against each other. When such a toxic atmosphere is created, it is not in anyone’s interest.”
Munde sought once again to clarify that the OBC community was not against the Maratha reservation. “We are not against Maratha quota. The Marathas should get a separate quota away from OBC category. We will continue to fight for the rights of the OBC community. In the coming local self government polls, the OBC community will shows its strength.”
Another OBC leader Laxman Hake, who has also emerged as a prominent voice of the OBC community, attacked Jarange. “Jarange has consistently shown disrespect to OBC community leaders. He has tried to create a rift between two communities.”
Debunking the government resolution (GR) giving quota to the Maratha community under the OBC category, Hake said, “The bid to equate Marathas with Kunbhis is not appropriate. It is a social misjudgement.”
