Watch: Maratha agitators blacken Minister Dilip Walse Patil hoardings in Pune’s Rajgurunagar

Watch | Maratha agitators blacken Minister Dilip Walse Patil hoardings in Pune’s Rajgurunagar

Read: https://t.co/vW6AYA3dRM pic.twitter.com/obsKF7nXhn

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) October 30, 2023

“The hoardings were blackened by our workers at the Chandloi Toll Booth near Rajgurunagar. We have been on a relay hunger strike for the last 25 days and on fast-unto-death for the last four days but Dilip Walse Patil has not visited us even once although he’s from the neighbouring taluka,” said Ankush Rakshe, an agitator.

“Although he said that he would not be celebrating his birthday, the hoardings came up and hence our workers blackened these banners,” added Rakshe.

On Sunday, Walse Patil had announced on X he would not celebrate his birthday which falls on October 30 and also appealed to his supporters to not carry out the usual celebrations.

“Maratha brothers are protesting across the state for reservation demand. Some youths have even taken extreme measures, including suicides. This is cause of great concern for me. We are in support of the Maratha community. Keeping in mind the social situation, I have decided to stay away from any personal celebrations to maintain social harmony and from the individual spotlight,” Walse Patil said in the post on Sunday.

“On October 30, I have decided not to publicly celebrate my birthday. I kindly request all my well-wishers and activists to support this decision,” he added.

Members of the Maratha community and quota agitators have prohibited entry to politicians in many villages in the state and have also started hunger strikes as part of the movement launched by Manoj Jarange Patil from Jalna district. Jarange Patil is also on a fast-unto-death protest in his village.

There have been reports of damage to public property such as buses from some parts of the state.