Maratha Quota Agitation Heats Up: Activist Announces Indefinite Fast

Quota activist Manoj Jarange announced he will launch an indefinite fast from July 20 if the Maharashtra government does not grant reservations to Marathas by midnight on July 13. Jarange has called for Marathas to gather in Mumbai for the next phase of the agitation. Despite a bill passed earlier this year, Jarange insists on further action.

Quota activist Manoj Jarange has warned the Maharashtra government that he will launch an indefinite fast starting from July 20 if the demands for Maratha reservations are not met by midnight on July 13.

Addressing a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jarange urged the Maratha community to converge in Mumbai for the next phase of their agitation. The deadline for meeting the nine demands of the Maratha community has expired, he noted, and failure to comply will restart protests at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on July 20.

Earlier this year, the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill providing a 10 percent reservation for the Maratha community. However, Jarange maintains that full recognition and OBC certificates for Kunbis and their relatives must be granted. He accused the state government of trying to deceive the Marathas with inadequate measures and announced further steps would be declared on the following Saturday.