Maratha quota: Manoj Jarange Patil holds rally in Pune, warns govt of agitation

Pune (Maharastra) [India], August 12 (ANI): A peace rally was organised in Pune, led by Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, to advocate for the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation category.

The rally, organised on Sunday by the Maratha Kranti Morcha, aimed to mobilise local community members in support of this long-standing reservation demand.

Manoj Jarange Patil and his supporters have been demanding Maratha community be classified as Kunbis and those who are included in the OBC category implement the Sage Soyare notification.

After his 6-hour march to Pune, he also addressed the Maratha community gathered in the Deccan area of Pune city. During his address, Patil said, “government tried to terrorise our community from the start of this agitation, which also created confusion among the community that Maratha could not unite; therefore, we are here to show that we are strong and united with the same strength that was seen in Solapur, Satara.”

He also added, ” DCM Devendra Fadnavis is conspiring against me ..becouse I was not listening to anyone and this conspiracy was done thru various leaders including Chaghan Bhujbal but I want to warn Devendra Fadnavis from Pune if doesn’t stop conspiring against me, then I will do proper programme of yours.”

Jarange Patil also said, “My only dream is to strengthen our (Maratha) son, daughters and community, and these political parties’ is to strengthen their own party leaders. We need leaders who consider society as their own family, for us our kids are important but they (Parties) are focused on their families and parties, I want to appeal to all Maratha community people to come out of your home and fight for the reservation. There is no point of electing these political leaders they earned a lot , now it’s time strengthen our cast without which our coming generations will become weak..”

“Without reservation, Maratha community people are not getting admission in education institutions, not getting government jobs, somehow, if they get jobs but they don’t get promotion, a few come from behind and get promotion but Martha remains in the same place, therefore, we need to get united and fight for the reservation,” he said.

Speaking about his political stand in the upcoming election, Jarange Patil told the gathering, “On 29 August I appeal to all Maratha community people to come to Antarvali Sarati in Jalna. We will hold a meeting to decided our stand in upcoming election..we will decide whether we will participate in the election or we take stand to make sure that all those who goes in election get defeated, I want to assure you all I won’t never betray you people… I will not go back without taking reservations i won’t stop even if I get shot …..but let me tell you If I get shot my community won’t let leave the people or his whole cast who shot me. If government doens’t give us reservation than we will make sure government goes out of power, he added .

Jarange-Patil, who has been a key figure in various protests for Maratha reservation, has been actively campaigning across Western Maharashtra since August 7. His tour has covered several districts, including Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Satara, and will culminate in Pune on August 11.

The rally has drawn a large turnout of Maratha community members, who assembled to demand recognition of their rights and inclusion in the OBC category. The event is intended to be a peaceful demonstration of the community’s resolve and commitment to their cause.

Manoj Jarange Patil has been at the forefront of the agitation for reservation, and this rally is seen as a significant step towards mobilising public support and putting pressure on the government to address their demand.

The rally started from Sarasbag and concluded at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj statue in Deccan area with address by Manoj Jarange Patil. (ANI)