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Journalism of Courage
Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Saturday refused to budge on his demand for Kunbi certificates for all Marathas in Maharashtra and said he will not withdraw his hunger strike he started last month.
Amid demands for Kunbi certificates for all members of the Maratha community, the Maharashtra government had on September 7 issued a resolution it will provide Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas from the Marathwada region who possess Nizam-era documents such as revenue, educational and other supporting records and if “Kunbi” is mentioned in their genealogy.
“The state government has made no changes in its resolution. Until the government makes changes, I will not withdraw my fast. I will drink water only after changes are made in the Government Resolution,” Jarange Patil said while addressing a crowd at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna.
His remarks came after Shiv Sena leader Arjun Khotkar, who belongs to the Jalna district, met him and handed over a sealed envelope from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Khotkar said the demands made by Jarange Patil will be met but the government needs some time.
However, Jarange Patil said, “I am firm on my demand that all Marathas should be given Kunbi certificates which will help them get reservations under the OBC category.”
He added, “We also demand that the police personnel who brutally lathi-charged the fasting activists and villagers should be dismissed from government service. Merely sending them on compulsory leave will not do. We demand the withdrawal of cases filed against our activists and community members. The government is only making promises but has not done anything on this front.”
Jarange Patil, who has been severely critical of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said he is ready to talk with the government.
“There is no other option than to hold talks to get a reservation. I am ready for talks with the government,” he said.
On Friday, a delegation including Patil’s representatives and local political leaders had met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his cabinet colleagues in Mumbai to place his demands for two and a half hours.
After the meeting, CM Shinde had said, “The discussion with the delegation was positive. We are hopeful of finding a solution… We hope the activist will withdraw his fast”.
Giving Marathas a Kunbi caste certificate would mean that they would be counted as OBCs and get reservation benefits that OBCs get in the state.
