Maratha activist Jarange-Patil angry at delegation, insists on hunger strike

Maratha job quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Friday got angry at a Fadnavis government delegation led by BJP leader Prasad Lad and Minister of Water Resources Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, which reached his residence in Antarwali Sarati village, Jalna district, Maharashtra, hoping to persuade him against a hunger strike from Saturday, May 30 as planned.

On Friday, the state government delegation, led by Minister of Water Resources Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil (who is also the chairman of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee), met Manoj Jarange Patil once again. However, during the discussion, he was angry and remained firm on the reservation.

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During the discussion with Jarange-Patil, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who is also the chairman of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee, informed him about the standard operating procedure (SOP) adopted to distribute caste certificates.

Vikhe Patil told Jarange-Patil that the process of issuing Kunbi certificates to Marathas is underway but there has been a delay due to the inaction of government officials. Instructions have been given to take action against such officials.

Vikhe Patil informed Jarange-Patil that no records were found in the Hyderabad Gazette regarding Marathas, though some figures have been found. He added that the Hyderabad Gazette case is currently pending in court.

However, there was a difference of opinion between Manoj Jarange-Patil and Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil regarding the number of records found.

Manoj Jarange-Patil told Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil that 58 lakh records have been found, adding that some records have even been destroyed.

Manoj Jarange-Patil told Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, “Give us the list of the 58 lakh records that have been found. We will tell those Marathas that their caste records have been found. Those who want to take the certificate will take it and those who do not want to take it will not take it.”

However, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil claimed that not all 58 lakh records have been located.

This angered Manoj Jarange-Patil. He told the Minister, “This will not work. I will go on a hunger strike.”

However, discussions are ongoing between the government delegation led by Radhakrishna Vikhe and Manoj Jarange. But so far, there has been no breakthrough which could make Jarange-Patil reconsider his plan to protest by going on a hunger strike from May 30.