Manoj Jarange Patil Ends Hunger Strike After Government Pledge

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ended a 20-day hunger strike on Thursday after a Maharashtra government delegation assured him that his demands would be addressed within three months. The agreement was reached during negotiations in Patoda, Beed, involving a state cabinet sub-committee led by Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

Jarange Patil had previously threatened to march to Mumbai on September 18, daring the government to stop him and warning that any police action could lead to the government's fall. He had expressed a willingness to die in Mumbai to secure a time-bound plan for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to 5.8 million people, which would allow Marathas to access Other Backward Class quotas. The Mumbai police had denied permission for a protest at Azad Maidan, citing potential disruptions during the Ganesh festival.

While the government has already facilitated certificates for approximately 350,000 individuals and claims to have accepted 12 of 13 demands, Jarange Patil insists that certificates be issued based on all 5.8 million lineage records. He also demanded that caste validity committees clear all government-issued certificates. Following the government's three-month pledge, Jarange Patil cancelled his planned march but vowed to resume his fast if the promises are not fulfilled.