Jarange embarks on third ‘date with Mumbai’
Mumbai: Emotionally vowing that he would not ‘surrender’, Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil –battered by 17 days of hunger strike and sniffing a plot to ‘kill’ him – embarked from Antarwali-Sarati in Jalna district to Mumbai, where he will continue his fast-unto-death for Maratha reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota.
Coming at the height of the ongoing 12-day long Ganeshotsav festival, the Maratha march has put Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government in a tricky spot, as lakhs of devotees descend on Mumbai, Thane and Pune, including visitors from across India and abroad.
However, a stern Fadnavis made it clear that no obstacles to the festival would be allowed and the law-and-order will be maintained by Mumbai Police - which has denied permission for a mass protest at Azad Maidan.
“The fight for my people continues. I will neither retreat nor surrender. Even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will ensure that the Maratha community gets reservation… Our sons and daughters are entitled to the quotas they deserve for their future,” said Jarange-Patil said before leaving in an SUV for the long road journey, with thousands of supporters spontaneously in tow.
He accused the state government of conspiring to obstruct his agitation and suspected that there could be a threat to his life. “I am coming to Mumbai alone. Does CM Fadnavis want to kill me with bullets? I believe a plan has been made to eliminate me. But I will not allow the Maratha community to be betrayed, even if I have to sacrifice myself,” Jarange-Patil declared.
On his strategy in Mumbai, he said he would decide after reaching the state capital, especially after the Bombay High Court made it clear that a democratic agitation would be allowed – “We believe the judiciary is supporting us,” he claimed, after paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and invoking his legacy.
Fadnavis Prepared
On his part, Fadnavis said the government is hopeful that the agitation would not disrupt Ganeshotsav. “This is a very big and important festival that is celebrated publicly on a massive scale. Our expectation is that the festival should not face any ‘vighnas’ (obstacles) due to the protest,” he said.
He further said the government has already accepted 12 of the 13 demands that were legally tenable. “The demands that could stand legal scrutiny have already been conceded. We have also explained the legal difficulties surrounding the remaining demand, including how violating a court order could ultimately hurt the Maratha community itself,” Fadnavis pointed out.
Making an appeal to the Marathas, the CM said that instead of taking a position that could inconvenience people during the revelry, “they should consider a decision that allows everyone to celebrate Ganeshotsav peacefully”.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also endorsed the Mahayuti government’s series of steps on Maratha reservation, saying the process had begun when Fadnavis was CM.
“Later, when I became the CM we provided 10 pc reservation to the Maratha community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes category. The community is now benefiting from that reservation today,” Shinde said.
He added that the Justice Shinde Committee had also initiated the process of issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas whose records established their Kunbi status, with lakhs having already received such certificates – though Jarange-Patil has disputed this contention.
Dozen Supporters
The Shivba Sanghatana leader rejected the CM’s plea and said that since Mumbai Police had denied permission for a mass hunger strike, he would come to Mumbai with around a dozen supporters to ensure that the entire Maratha community was not blamed for any disruptions.
Jarange-Patil repeated his appeal - for peace, avoiding jamming roads or inconveniencing the common citizens - to all his supporters while his team will apply afresh to Mumbai Police for permission for the mass hunger strike from September 19.
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