Navi Mumbai, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent activist for Maratha reservation, to reconsider the timing of his planned protests in Mumbai. The CM expressed concern about the potential disruption to devotees during the Ganesh Festival.
Fadnavis stated that the state government has addressed nearly all significant demands from the Maratha community, with remaining issues currently under judicial and constitutional review. His remarks came in response to Jarange Patil’s announcement of a march starting September 15, followed by an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19, demanding Maratha reservation.
“Most of the demands have been met. Some matters are still pending in court or at various administrative stages. We have made it clear that demands beyond the scope defined by the Constitution or the courts cannot be accepted directly,” Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s readiness for dialogue and reiterated his appeal for Jarange Patil to reconsider the protest’s timing. “Holding a protest during the Ganesh Festival will inconvenience devotees, which is not acceptable. This decision should be reconsidered,” he added.
Additionally, Water Resources Minister and head of the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, Radha Krishna Vikhe Patil, remarked that the government has made every effort and has fulfilled most of the community’s primary demands. He mentioned that implementation processes are already underway, including the distribution of Kunbi certificates and allocations for the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation.
Despite the government’s assurances, Jarange Patil dismissed them and issued an ultimatum, stating that if all primary demands are not met, he will proceed with the hunger strike on September 19 at Azad Maidan.
Vikhe Patil also appealed to Jarange Patil to reconsider his decision to protest during the festival. In response, Jarange Patil criticized Vikhe Patil and the government sub-committee, accusing them of delaying the implementation of the gazette and misleading the Maratha community.
Vikhe Patil countered that the state government has provided unprecedented legal and welfare support to the Maratha community and called for cooperation regarding the movement. Meanwhile, Jarange Patil remains firm in his stance, asserting that if the demands are not fully implemented within the set timeframe, he will escalate the protests directly in Mumbai.
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