Mumbai, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : Activist Manoj Jarange Patil is on the 11th day of his hunger strike, advocating for Maratha reservation rights. On Tuesday, Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil announced that no government delegation would be sent to meet him. He emphasized that the administration has already taken all necessary steps to address the issue.
Despite a late-night phone conversation with Minister Uday Samant and BJP MLA Prasad Lad, which led Jarange Patil to resume his medical treatment, he remains firm in his demands for the implementation of reservation policies.
Commenting on Jarange Patil’s stance, Vikhe Patil, who chairs the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, acknowledged the activist’s right to stand his ground. However, he reiterated that the government has fulfilled its commitments to the welfare of the Maratha community.
“If Jarange Patil chooses to maintain his position, that is his decision,” Vikhe Patil stated. He added that the government has taken all necessary actions, yet dissatisfaction persists. Efforts to address remaining concerns are ongoing, but he indicated that there are currently no other options to satisfy Jarange Patil.
In response to criticism from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Vikhe Patil highlighted the state’s progress in recognizing historical records. He noted that 5.8 million Kunbi records have been documented at the village panchayat level. Out of 520 applications, 240 were specifically for obtaining certificates, with the verification of lineage details and the issuance of certificates underway.
Vikhe Patil asserted that unprecedented progress has been made for the community under the current leadership in recent years. He also launched a sharp critique against former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that reservation policies were dismantled during his tenure. He urged Jarange Patil to understand the state government’s efforts rather than issue ultimatums, emphasizing that the government has consistently taken proactive steps.
The minister expressed hope for a positive response from Jarange Patil, mentioning that retired Justice Shinde is currently overseeing the verification of historical records in Sambhajinagar, and he is optimistic that the activist will help chart a path forward.
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