Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 30: The Mumbai Police on Saturday extended permission for pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to continue his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan until Sunday, as his standoff with the Maharashtra government intensified over reservation for the Maratha community.

Initially, Jarange-Patil was granted approval to protest on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., which he dismissed as a “joke.” The police later extended the deadline twice — first to Saturday, and now till Sunday, following his request.

Jarange-Patil has vowed not to end his hunger strike until the Maharashtra government implements OBC category reservation for Marathas that can legally withstand judicial scrutiny. He has demanded that all Marathas in Marathwada be declared as Kunbis, making them eligible for reservation. He insists that the Hyderabad and Satara state gazettes be made into law to support this status. He has also demanded that cases filed against Maratha protesters be withdrawn, and that families of those who died during past agitations receive government jobs and compensation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have reiterated that Marathas cannot be included in the OBC quota due to constitutional limitations. They have maintained that the state is working on a solution within the framework of the Constitution and not on decisions that may face backlash later. Fadnavis pointed to the government’s initiatives since 2014, including the creation of over 1.5 lakh entrepreneurs through the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation.

Rejecting the state’s approach, Jarange-Patil accused the government of delaying tactics. He said it has already been proven that Marathas and Kunbis in Marathwada and western Maharashtra are the same and asked for immediate notification. He said the government must implement the Satara and Hyderabad gazettes immediately and can take up to two months for the Aundh and Bombay state records.

Jarange-Patil also criticised the state for pushing the Shinde Committee to the front instead of engaging directly. He warned that if his demands are not met, the state will face consequences. As of now, he remains firm on continuing his hunger strike until a binding commitment is made.