The Maratha quota agitation saw a major breakthrough as the Maharashtra government accepted Manoj Jarange Patil’s key demand to implement the Hyderabad Gazette, which recognizes Marathas as part of the Kunbi peasant community.
In addition, the government assured that all cases filed against those who participated in the reservation protests will be withdrawn.
After meeting with a cabinet sub-committee, Patil announced that once the government issues a formal resolution, his supporters would vacate Mumbai by 9 pm.
Hours after the announcement, he ended his 5-day fast, saying, “We have won.” He was seen drinking water offered by Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhepatil to conclude his hunger strike.
Patil was on a hunger strike in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to demand reservation in jobs and education for Marathas belonging to the Marathwada and western Maharashtra regions.
Earlier, Patil accused the state government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, of attempting to harass the Maratha community.
“The Maratha community will never forget the brutal and inhuman treatment by this government. Whenever government ministers come to rural areas, we will show our strength and take revenge,” he earlier warned.
The government has said it is taking proactive steps to address the reservation issue.
Earlier, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday slammed Jarange for continuing to sit on a “fast unto death” at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan seeking reservation for the Maratha community, questioning him over steps taken to control crowds after finding that 1 lakh people had reached the city.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe asked Jarange and all protesters to vacate the site before “3 PM today,” warning that actions including imposing exemplary costs, contempt of court proceedings, etc., would be initiated.
