“Why do you need more time?”: Fasting activist questions Shinde govt on implementation of Maratha quota

Jalna (Maharashtra) [India]: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Wednesday questioned the delay in the implementation of reservation by the Eknath Shinde-led government saying the political parties are no different as they have a similar bent of mind in this matter.

Addressing a press conference in Jalna, Maharashtra, Patil said, “Why do they (Maharashtra government) need time? We have been holding our patience but they need to come clean on why they need more time. What will you do with more time? Answer that and we will decide on whether to give more time to you or not.”

He asserted that his ongoing protest for the provision of quota for the Maratha community would continue till the demand is met.

“We won’t step back from our protest unless we get reservation. I will even go without water. I will not drink a single drop of water (till the demand is met). All parties are the same (on the quota issue). They are no different,” the activist said.

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, Opposition MLAs in the state called on Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and demanded that he convene a special session of the Assembly as soon as possible amid the ongoing Maratha quota protest.

The opposition MLAs tendered a memorandum to the Speaker seeking a special session of the Assembly for discussions on the quota protest.

The ongoing protest took a violent turn on Monday after the protestors vandalised the residences and offices of many politicians. The Maratha community has been up in arms over the last couple of months, demanding their inclusion in the state’s OBC list.

Amid the protest, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said the leaders attending the all-party meeting were in agreement that a quota should be provided to the Maratha community.

Jarange-Patil, however, has continued his hunger strike. He hoped that the government would keep its word to provide quota to the Maratha community.

He also mentioned that a complete hunger strike will be resumed if the state fails to place Marathas under the OBC category by giving them Kunbi caste certificates over the next two days.