Stating that the Maharashtra Government has “accepted our request,” Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who started his hunger strike on January 26, said the protest is over now.
“Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has done a good job. Our protest is now over. Our request has been accepted. We will accept the letter from him. I will drink juice by the hands of the Chief Minister today (January 27),” Manoj Jarange Patil said while addressing a press conference on January 26 night.
Referring to the demand to give a Kunbi certificate to all 54 lakh people whose proof of being Kunabi has been found till now, Manoj Jarange Patil said that they will be given the certificates soon. “54 lakh entries were found for our fight. They will be given the certificate soon,” he said.
Earlier on January 26, Manoj Jarange Patil warned the State Government to issue a Government Resolution regarding the Maratha quota, adding that if their demands were not met, then protestors would march towards Mumbai on January 26 morning. He also urged the Maharashtra Government to withdraw all the cases registered by the police regarding the demand for Maratha reservation in the State.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said that the ordinance that was passed has the solution to all the problems. Thus, there is no need to continue the protests.
“A movement which was going on in Maharashtra for Maratha reservation under the leadership of Manoj Jarange Patil has reached a solution today. The ordinance that was passed today has the solution to all the problems. Manoj Jarange Patil has announced that since the solution has been received, there is no need to continue the protests. CM Eknath Shinde will end Manoj Jarange Patil’s fast with juice. The movement has reached a solution,” Mangal Prabhat Lodha said on January 26.
On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation.
(with inputs from ANI)
