Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 24: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has announced plans to establish a statewide network of dedicated Maratha volunteers following the emergence of an audio clip that has triggered a political controversy involving leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
Jarange said the audio recording, which allegedly relates to events from two to two-and-a-half years ago, had made him more cautious. He urged the Maratha community to learn from the developments and announced that a strong network of volunteers would be formed across every division of the state.
The activist said the proposed network would help strengthen coordination within the Maratha reservation movement and prevent attempts to divide its supporters. A dedicated WhatsApp number would be provided to the volunteers to facilitate communication and coordination.
Jarange said the formation of the network would begin within the next two to three days. He added that future protests could be postponed by a few days if necessary to ensure the organisational structure was in place before the movement resumed.
"We worked honestly, but you made dangerous moves against us. We demanded reservation, but you created major obstacles. What was happening behind the scenes has now come to light, revealing how the planning was carried out," Jarange said, alleging that attempts had been made to undermine the movement.
He stressed the need to build a strong organisation across Maharashtra, saying the community must identify those who genuinely support its cause. According to him, the proposed network would help ensure that the movement remained organised and that its supporters could work together more effectively.
The audio clip has reportedly intensified tensions among leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar.
Reacting to the controversy, Jarange questioned why efforts were allegedly made to weaken the Maratha reservation agitation. He said the community had sought reservation through its movement but had faced obstacles and what he described as conspiracies behind the scenes.
"Why did you plot so much against us? What wrong had we done to you? Why were attempts made to suppress our community's movement?" he asked, expressing disappointment over the developments.
Jarange maintained that the controversy had highlighted the need for greater vigilance within the movement. He said the Maratha community must carefully assess who stands by its cause and who may be working against it.
The activist reiterated that a new network of dedicated Maratha volunteers would be established across the state before the next phase of the reservation agitation. He said building a strong organisational structure was necessary to maintain unity and ensure better coordination during future protests.