Maratha quota: Manoj Jarange plans show of unity at Dussehra rally in Beed

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange calls for unity at Dussehra rally in Narayangad, Maharashtra on October 12.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday (September 30, 2024) appealed to the people, including the poor and the needy, to converge in a show of unity at the Dussehra rally to be held at Narayangad in Maharashtra's Beed district. Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12 this year.

Mr. Jarange also said he will speak at the rally, which would be attended by the Maratha community people and farmers, but there will be no politics at the event.

He was speaking to reporters at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar where he is currently undergoing treatment after ending his fast over the demand for OBC quota for the Maratha community.

Mr. Jarange sat on a hunger strike on September 17, his sixth strike in a year, to demand reservation to the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

He called it off on September 25, citing pleas from members of the Maratha community to withdraw his protest.

In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a Bill providing 10% reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category. Mr. Jarange, however, stuck to his demand for a quota for the community under the OBC head.

"A Dussehra rally will take place in Narayangad where I will go as a devotee and remain present for the programme. I will seek blessings of my community's people who come to Narayangad. Those from Beed and Marathwada and those staying out of station for work purpose should come to Narayangad on Dussehra," Mr. Jarange said.