Maratha Reservation: Manoj Jarange Patil Resumes Hunger Strike, Increases Pressure on Government

The Maratha reservation issue has once again gained momentum in Maharashtra. Manoj Jarange Patil, the head of the Maratha Reservation Relief Committee, announced at a press conference on Thursday that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from May 30 in Aurangabad. Jarange stated that the government had been given ten months' time, which would expire on May 29. He questioned how much more time the government should be given. Jarange said, "Injustice is being done to the children of the Maratha community, so now we have to take a tough stance." Following Jarange Patil's warning on Thursday, the Maharashtra government has also become active. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, the chairman of the Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee and Water Resources Minister, left for Mumbai. Vikhe Patil will hold an important meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. After the meeting, he will arrive in Aurangabad on Friday at 12 pm. There, he will meet with officials at the Divisional Commissioner's office. Reliable sources have informed that Vikhe Patil will also meet with Jarange Patil on Friday. Earlier, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil held a press conference on Thursday afternoon, stating that he is in constant touch with Manoj Jarange Patil. He said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has a positive approach to the Maratha reservation issue. Vikhe Patil stated that after discussing with the Chief Minister, he would meet with Jarange Patil. The Maratha reservation issue has been a topic of discussion in Maharashtra for a long time. The demand for Maratha reservation has led to protests from time to time. The government had formed a sub-committee on the Maratha reservation issue, with Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil as its chairman. Through this committee, the government is discussing the Maratha reservation issue. Manoj Jarange Patil has said that injustice is being done to the children of the Maratha community and the government should take positive steps in this direction. He has appealed to the government to make a decision on the Maratha reservation issue soon. After Jarange Patil's announcement of an indefinite hunger strike, the pressure on the government has increased. It remains to be seen what decision the government will take on the Maratha reservation issue through Vikhe Patil's meetings.