Manoj Jarange-Patil, a prominent activist advocating for Maratha community reservations, has entered the eleventh day of an indefinite hunger strike. He is demanding that Marathas be granted Kunbi caste certificates to qualify for Other Backward Class (OBC) benefits in education and government employment. During his protest in Jalna, he called for a massive gathering on September 12 and warned of a potential statewide shutdown if authorities interfere with supporters. Jarange-Patil criticized state minister Chhagan Bhujbal for opposing the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota. Having been involved in this movement for nearly two decades, the activist previously founded the Shivba Sanghatana to organize protests. He remains firm in his refusal to end the fast until his specific demands regarding caste documentation are met by the state government.
Source : Livemint
Photo : Livemint
