Jalna Sep 14 Denied permission for his hunger strike in Mumbai, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday announced he would head to the state capital alone on September 15 to stage a protest at Azad Maidan.
As a counter to the government’s decision, I will leave for Mumbai alone on September 15 at 11 am,” Jarange said. He appealed to the Maratha community not to converge at the capital immediately, stating that only 10 people and two ambulances would accompany him along the planned route starting Tuesday morning. Addressing supporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district on the 16th day of his indefinite fast, Jarange accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of blocking the protest out of fear, and attempting to create unrest during the Ganesh festival to blame the Maratha community for it. “Fearing the strength of the Maratha community, the government has denied permission to go to Mumbai. “Fadnavis’s people will create a disturbance during the Maratha rally and blame the Maratha community. That is why I have decided to go alone. Now, will the government deny permission for my solo march as well?” he asked. Among Jarange’s main demands is that a Government Resolution be issued allowing Marathas to claim reservation available to the Kunbi community in the Other Backward Classes category based on old records and gazette documents.
“The road ahead is full of obstacles, but I will not retreat from the struggle for the community,” he said.
“We are ready to hold discussions with the government at any open ground.
But we do not want hollow assurances; we want direct implementation,” he said, warning political leaders that the Maratha community would decide their fate in future polls.
