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Manoj Jarange began his indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan and vowed not to end it until his demands were met.
Manoj Jarange starts indefinite hunger strike (PTI Image)
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Friday started his indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and said that he will not back down until his demands are met.
He arrived at the protest site at around 9.45 am and received a rousing welcome from thousands of his supporters who wore saffron caps and scarves.
“I will not go back until our demands are met. Even if I am shot dead, I will not retreat,” he said while addressing his supporters.
The “lack of cooperation” from the Devendra Fadnavis government had compelled the community to march to Mumbai, he claimed.
“Now that the government has allowed the protest, we must cooperate with the police and ensure that we do nothing that tarnishes the community’s image,” he urged to protesters.
He also urged his supporters not to block roads in the city to ensure the residents do not face problems due to their protest.
“Clear the streets in two hours and ensure Mumbaikars are not troubled. Those who want to leave the city today can do so,” he said.
He appealed to the Mahayuti government to accept their demands and cautioned CM Fadnavis against drawing the “wrath of the Marathas”.
“We want the government to grant us a reservation and accept all our demands. I want to caution the chief minister against inviting the wrath of the Marathas. You can shoot me or put me in jail. I will rot in jail but will not move till our demands are met,” he said.
Jarange has long been demanding a 10% quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He demands that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis – an agrarian caste included in the OBC category – which will make them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education.
The Mumbai Police have deployed over 1,500 personnel at Azad Maidan to maintain law and order for the agitation, officials said.
(With PTI inputs)
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More
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