Maratha Activist Warns Of Action If Government Fails On Reservation Demands

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange issued a stern warning on Sunday, declaring that if the state government fails to address their reservation demands, the community will strategize its next steps at a crucial meeting in Beed on December 23. During a meeting in Jalna district, Jarange revealed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde is expected to make a statement in the ongoing winter session of the assembly in Nagpur on December 18, as reported by PTI.

Jarange, emphasizing the government's commitment to reservation, mentioned that State Minister Uday Samant assured him of the Chief Minister and Deputy CMs' dedication to fulfilling the demand. However, he highlighted that if the government doesn't pass the necessary act within the stipulated one month, the community will decide its next strategy on December 23 in Beed.

The activist stressed that the agitation would persist unless the government fulfills the demand for reservation and urged the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas for inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, emphasizing the need for corresponding legislation.

With the state government identifying 54 lakh Kunbi records, Jarange insisted on the urgent passage of legislation to incorporate the Maratha community into the OBC category. Having concluded his hunger strike on November 2, Jarange set a deadline of December 24 for the ruling dispensation to meet the community's demands for reservation in education and government jobs.

Expressing discontent, Jarange pointed out that the state government has not withdrawn cases against Maratha protestors, urging a suspension of job recruitment until reservations are granted. He specifically called for the prioritization of the appointment of 13,000 selected Maratha youths in various departments and cautioned of "consequences" if recruitment proceeds without the implementation of reservation.