Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Alleges Conspiracy Against Maratha Reservation March

JALNA: Activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Sunday alleged a conspiracy to kill him and disrupt his proposed ‘peaceful’ march to Mumbai over the demand for Maratha reservation, asserting that he would not succumb to pressure.

Jarange, whose hunger strike entered its 16th day on Sunday, alleged while addressing supporters and media persons at the protest site in Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra’s Jalna district that people linked to the ruling parties could be sent into the march to create chaos and target him. "I will accept death, but I will not surrender," he said, adding that the government still had eight days to resolve the issue before the proposed Mumbai agitation.

"We will have to respond when someone steps on the tail of a snake," Jarange stated, warning that his supporters could politically challenge some ministers. Targeting chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, Jarange alleged that those in power were conspiring against him and claimed there was a plan to create trouble during his proposed Maratha march to Mumbai.

On Saturday, Jarange announced that he and his supporters would march to Mumbai on September 15 and begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19, demanding Maratha reservation in jobs and education. The activist has planned the march during the Ganpati festivities, which will be held from September 14 to 25.

On Sunday, the activist claimed that some Maratha MLAs from the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena were calling his supporters and asking them not to participate in the march. "There is a conspiracy to shoot me during the march. They do not want to kill Marathas, but want to target me," he alleged. I will not surrender," Jarange told news agency PTI. He urged supporters not to join the march if they were afraid, but made an emotional appeal to march to Mumbai and, if necessary, even join his funeral procession.

Jarange said he would leave Antarwali Sarati for Mumbai on September 15. "I will reach Mumbai on September 19 and sit on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan at 10 am. We believe in the law and the judiciary," he said. Jarange said an application had been submitted seeking permission for the protest, adding that the government could impose conditions on the agitation. "I am going to Mumbai. What is my mistake? Am I violating the law? If you want to impose conditions, impose them," he said.

Jarange said he had earlier trusted Eknath Shinde and returned from Vashi in Navi Mumbai in January 2024 after a government resolution (GR) was issued over the Maratha quota demands. "When we honoured Shinde, Marathas were dear to him. If Fadnavis accepts all our demands and wins the battle, what will happen to the others?" he asked.

Jarange also said he would not be intimidated by government inquiries against him or his associates. "Even if inquiries are ordered, I will not surrender. I will accept death, but I will not surrender," he said. He also claimed that 58 lakh Kunbi records had been found and demanded that the government issue certificates to eligible Marathas.

Among Jarange’s key demands is the issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) allowing Marathas to claim reservation available to the Kunbi community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category based on old records and gazette documents. OBC groups have opposed the demand, arguing that it could affect their share of reservation benefits.

Jarange maintained that the proposed protest would be peaceful and democratic and appealed to Marathas to participate in the agitation. He also said recent rains had brought relief to farmers after a difficult period and that agricultural work had largely been completed, making it possible for supporters to join the Mumbai agitation.

On Friday, the Bombay high court declined to pass any urgent order on a petition seeking to halt Jarange’s fresh protest in the state capital. The court said every person has the right to protest and that no restraining order could be issued merely on the apprehension of a law-and-order situation. On August 29 last year, Jarange launched an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai to press his demand for Maratha reservation. The agitation led to chaos in parts of the city before it was called off after the government accepted some of his demands.