Jalna: On the eve of his proposed indefinite hunger strike starting Monday, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra state government, warning that six crore Marathas could march to Mumbai in five phases if their key demands regarding Kunbi caste certificates are not met.
Speaking to the media in Antarwali Sarati on the final day of his ultimatum to the government, Jarange Patil targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Jarange Patil urged the Maratha community to “shake off their lethargy and passivity” and assemble in large numbers at Antarwali Sarati.
He specifically asked individuals whose Kunbi record entries were identified but who were denied certificates, those whose applications were rejected, and candidates awaiting job appointments despite selection to gather with their documents.
Clarifying the roadmap of the protest, Jarange Patil stated that while the agitation will start in Antarwali Sarati on August 29, it will shift directly to Mumbai – specifically targeting the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha – if the administration fails to act. Reaffirming his commitment, he declared that his fast unto death would continue unconditionally until concrete implementation occurs, urging the community to refrain from suicides and stand united behind the movement.
Addressing the sub-committee and government ministers, Jarange Patil levelled severe allegations regarding the handling of Maratha quota records. “Do not play with the lives of Maratha youth. While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis provided benefits initially, they are now responsible for undermining the progress of the community. Officials are actively attempting to diminish the verified 58 lakh Kunbi records that were previously made public.”
He further criticised Sub-Committee Chairman Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, alleging a lack of administrative awareness regarding the ground reality of verification procedures, and warned ministers including Uday Samant, Shambhuraj Desai, and Chandrashekhar Bawankule against misleading the community.
Jarange Patil presented a clear set of charter demands to the Maharashtra government, insisting that senior administrative officers visit Antarwali Sarati to explain the explicit framework for certificate distribution.
He demanded the immediate issuance of valid Kunbi caste certificates to all 58 lakh identified record holders, with clear official protocols, release of Government Resolutions (GRs) incorporating the Satara, Kolhapur, Aundh, and Pune gazettes, immediate job appointments for families of individuals who lost their lives during the Maratha reservation agitation, establishment of an independent Maratha-Kunbi Ministry and immediate restoration and resumption of halted schemes under SARTHI (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute).
He also demanded the release of pending interest reimbursements under the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Vikas Mahamandal and reinstatement and validation of four revoked caste certificates in the Marathwada region.
(IANS)
