Maharashtra: Jarange Fumes After Government Rules Out Further Visits To Him

Mr. Jarange accused Mr. Vikhe-Patil of betraying the Maratha community and failing to address its reservation demands. He also targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling him Maharashtra’s “most inactive chief minister”.

Mr. Jarange’s hunger strike entered its 11th day on Tuesday. He has refused to call off the protest despite two rounds of discussions with a government delegation.

The BJP-led Mahayuti government has taken serious note of the agitation. A high-level meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha, on Monday night to discuss the government’s strategy on the reservation issue.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and senior Mahayuti ministers and leaders, including Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Atul Save and Ravindra Chavan, attended the meeting. BJP MLC Prasad Lad and Industries Minister Uday Samant reportedly joined the meeting through video conference.

According to sources, the meeting reviewed steps being taken to address the demands of the Maratha community, including legal, administrative and certificate-related issues.

Sources said Mr. Shinde advised ministers that only those belonging to the Maratha community should communicate the government’s position on issues concerning the community. Other ministers were asked to refrain from making statements on the sensitive issue.

The move is seen as an attempt to prevent differing statements by ministers from creating confusion or fuelling further controversy over the Maratha reservation issue.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Vikhe-Patil said the government had adopted a positive approach towards all the issues raised by Mr. Jarange and had taken “one step forward”. He urged the activist to respond positively to the decisions taken by the government.

“While the government is taking decisions, he should also take two steps forward and cooperate,” Mr. Vikhe-Patil said.

He said retired Justice Shinde had begun his tour of the Marathwada region on Tuesday in accordance with decisions taken by the government. The visits would help establish the ground reality, he said, adding that records had earlier been traced under the retired judge’s guidance.

“Camps will be organised at the mandal level to expedite the process of issuing certificates, based on the guidelines prepared by the government for issuing such certificates. People should also submit applications for this purpose. As many as 58 lakh records have been displayed at gram panchayat offices,” Mr. Vikhe-Patil said.

He said the Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government had taken several decisions in the interest of the Maratha community and that the community was aware of the measures.

Asked about Mr. Jarange’s warning that he would come to Mumbai if his demands were not met, Mr. Vikhe-Patil said the government delegation had already held discussions with him and explained its position. He ruled out another visit by the delegation to Antarwali Sarati.

“The government delegation will not go anywhere as it has already taken several decisions,” he said.

Mr. Fadnavis, meanwhile, reiterated that reservation benefits meant for the OBC and other communities would not be given to another community. He said the government would provide whatever was constitutionally possible and implement in full any demands that were subject to a court decision.

“The Mahayuti government has done justice with all the communities, including Maratha. We are going to do justice with the Maratha community. Our discussion has been held for the same. Whatever is possible, we will do it,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

The Chief Minister also said the government had never closed the doors for dialogue and that issues were resolved through discussions.

“We have never closed the doors for dialogue. If they feel that something is still lacking or if they have any doubts, they should raise them, and their doubts will be addressed,” he said.