Pro-Maratha quota activist considers ending strike; wants written assurance on demands first

Pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ends indefinite strike if CM, Deputy CMs visit protest site with written assurances on quota issue. Conditions include withdrawal of cases against agitators, suspension of police officers, and issuance of OBC certificates to Marathas. CM Shinde reiterates govt's stance, sets up committee to prepare SOP for issuing OBC certificates within a month.

Amid frantic appeals by the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Tuesday said he would end his indefinite strike under the condition that the State CM, as well Deputy CMs, personally visit the protest site at Antarwali Sarati village in the State’s Jalna district along with written assurances on his demands regarding the quota issue.

Mr. Jarange Patil, whose strike entered its fifteenth day, made clear he would neither end his fast nor leave the protest site until every member of the Maratha community received the quota certificate.

He laid down certain conditions for the State government and gave it a month’s time to fulfil them. The conditions include withdrawal of all cases against the agitators, suspensions of high-level police officers allegedly responsible for carrying out the recent lathi-charge on protestors, and insistence that the government issue an OBC community caste certificates for all Marathas, so that they may avail of the benefits presently enjoyed by the OBCs.

“Even after a month these conditions are not satisfied, then it will be the government’s responsibility for whatever happens next. I would sincerely urge the State not to make us repeat this indefinite strike again,” he said.

At the same time, Mr. Jarange Patil exhorted his supporters to carry out the agitation by peaceful means and not resort to blocking roads, pelting stones and burning tyres.

Besides the presence of the CM and top members of the State cabinet, Mr. Jarange Patil insisted that Maratha community royals and direct descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji – BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale and former MP Sambhajiraje – be present along with Mr. Shinde as a pre-condition to end his strike.

Earlier in the morning, Shinde camp leaders Arjun Khotkar and Sandipan Bhumre met the pro-quota activist to apprise him of the late evening all-party meeting held in Mumbai on Monday. Later, radical Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide also called upon Mr. Jarange Patil and urged him to call of his fast.