Maratha Stir

Did not endorse anybody so how can my factor fail, asks Jarange Patil

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday refuted talk of his stir not being a factor in the Maharashtra assembly polls, which were swept by the Mahayuti comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. The Mahayuti won 40 out of 46 seats in Marathwada region, including all five in Jalna, the epicentre of Jarange's stir for quota for the Maratha community in jobs and education. The ruling alliance's poor show in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year was largely credited to Jarange's opposition, especially his strident remarks against Deputy Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Devendra Fadnavis. "How can one say the Jarange factor failed in the assembly polls when I did not contest nor did I endorse anybody? I liberated the Maratha community from the clutches of these political parties. The community was free to vote as per its choice. My focus is on empowering the Marathas," he said putting up a brave front. Expressing satisfaction at the results, he pointed out that 204 Marathas were ...

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil confronted by Maratha quota activists

A group of Maratha quota activists confronted NCP (SP) Maharashtra unit chief Jayant Patil and sought the party's stand on the issue of reservations for the community. The incident took place during the Sharad Pawar-led party's 'Shivrajya Yatra' in Badnapur here on Sunday. Patil was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Amol Kolhe and MLA Rajesh Tope. The activists wanted Patil to make a statement on the party's stand on granting reservations to Marathas in jobs and education. The NCP (SP) leader experienced a similar episode in Ghanswanghi, which is just a few kilometres away from Antarwali Sarati, the epicentre of the Maratha quota stir being led by activist Manoj Jarange. In Bhokardan, during an event associated with the yatra, several people indulged in sloganeering, leading to Patil not delivering his speech, eye witnesses said. Patil ended the event by saying Tope had spoken well so there was no need for him to add anything more. He also admonished the crowd for indiscipline, and ...

Marathas won't get quota, Maharashtra govt only listening to OBCs: Jarange

It is "almost clear now" the Maharashtra government will not give reservations to the Maratha community as it is only listening to the OBC groups, activist Manoj Jarange alleged on Friday. Speaking to reporters in his native Antarwali Sarati in Jalna, some 60 kilometres from here, he said the Eknath Shinde government is disrespecting the Maratha community. "The state government is listening to and giving time to only Other Backward Classes leaders. The Maratha community is disrespected. It is almost clear now the Maratha community will not be given reservation by the Maharashtra government. Therefore, we need to remove them (government)," Jarange claimed. Talking about upcoming assembly polls, he said a decision on fielding candidates will be taken after August 29. "I think there should be no alliance as such and we can think of fielding independent candidates. We will think about the social equations of the candidates," he said. In case poll "equations" are not favourable, then .

BJP MLAs slam Oppn for boycotting all-party meet on Maratha quota

Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Maharashtra assembly on Wednesday as BJP members criticised the opposition for boycotting the all-party meeting called by the government on the Maratha reservation issue the previous day. Amid slogan-shouting by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members and noisy scenes, the House was adjourned three times. Raising the issue in the Lower House, Ameet Satam (BJP) accused the opposition of playing politics over the quota issue. He asked the opposition to clarify its stand on the demand that Marathas be given reservation from the OBC (Other Backward Classes) quota. "The opposition only wants to create a rift between the two communities," he charged. Ashish Shelar (BJP) claimed the opposition backtracked at the last minute from attending the all-party meeting. Members of the treasury benches trooped into the well of the House, slamming the opposition. Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar accused the government of creating a social divide and .

Govt trying to create rift between Maratha, OBC communities, says Jarange

Activist Manoj Jarange on Friday accused the Maharashtra government of trying to create tension between the Maratha and OBC communities, vowing that he won't let it happen. The 41-year-old activist was speaking to the Marathi news channel ABP Maza after his discharge from a hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He said there are 8-9 people in the government who have "hatred" for the Maratha community and their names will reach the public domain at the right time. The government is thrusting new leaders to the fore and moving others aside to create a rift between the Maratha and OBC communities, he said, stressing that those protesting over their demand for non-dilution of the OBC quota are not at fault. OBC activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmre have been fasting in the Jalna district since June 13 demanding that the government scrap the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as sage soyare (blood relatives) of Maratha community members. The agrarian Kunbi community enjoys O

Maha ministers meet OBC activists on behalf of govt, urge them to end fast

Three Maharashtra ministers and a member of the legislative council on Friday met OBC activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare and urged them to end their fast, which entered the ninth day. The delegation comprising ministers Atul Save, Uday Samant and Girish Mahajan, and MLC Gopichand Padalkar met the activists at the protest site at Wadigodri village in Jalna district. Newly-elected Shiv Sena MP Sandipan Bhumre was also present. Mahajan also called up Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis from the stage and made them talk to the protesting activists. Later, Padalkar said a meeting between a delegation of the OBC (Other Backward Classes) community and the government has been organised in Mumbai. Mahajan said five OBC leaders named by Hake will attend the meeting at 5 pm. A way can be worked out only after talks. The government will not let injustice happen to anyone, he said. However, Hake and Waghmare, who have been fasting since June 13, refused to hal

Marathas cannot get OBC quota, says Bhujbal, demands caste census

Veteran OBC leader and Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has reiterated that the Marathas cannot be given reservation from the quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. Talking to reporters on Monday, the state's food and civil supplies minister also renewed his demand for a caste census in the state. Bhujbal's statement has come amid the stir by quota activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare, who have been on hunger strike for the last six days. On Monday, a government delegation met Hake and Waghmare, urging them to end their fast, but they refused. The agitators said they are not against the reservation for Marathas, but it should not disturb the OBC quota. Bhujbal said, "The Maratha community cannot be given reservation from the OBC quota. We are not saying this, but the past four commissions (on reservation) have stated the same. Even the Supreme Court said no to it." Now there is again a demand for reservation from the OBC (quota), he said, referring to the

OBC leaders should seek quota for Dhangar community: Manoj Jarange

Activist Manoj Jarange on Monday said the OBC leaders should focus on seeking reservation for the Dhangar community under the ST category instead of criticising the demand for Maratha quota. Speaking to reporters here, Jarange said the OBC leaders are "not our enemies" and Marathas would support the demand for reservation to the Dhangar (shepherd) community under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. On June 13, Jarange suspended his indefinite fast over the Maratha quota, six days after launching it, and set a deadline of one month before the Maharashtra government to accept the community's demands. He made the announcement after Maharashtra minister and member of Maratha quota sub-committee Shambhuraj Desai and Shiv Sena MP Sandipan Bhumare met him at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district and discussed the issue. Some leaders from the Other Backward Classes have opposed the Maratha quota under the OBC category. In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature ...

Cong to face consequences in state poll for opposing Marathas: Jarange

Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday claimed the Congress was speaking against the interests of the Maratha community and would face consequences in the Maharashtra assembly polls due later this year. Speaking to reporters on the third day of his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna, Jarange reiterated his demand for implementation of the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as "sage soyare" (blood relatives) of Maratha community members and sought a law to identify Kunbis as Marathas. Newly-elected Congress MP from Jalna, Kalyan Kale, visited the village and met Jarange on Monday. Kunbi, an agrarian group, falls under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, and Jarange has been demanding that Kunbi certificates be issued to all Marathas, thus making them eligible for quota benefits. In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separat

Marathas assaulted for not voting BJP in Beed, claims activist Jarange

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday urged Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action against certain people who were attacking Marathas for not voting for the BJP candidate in Beed in the Lok Sabha election. Speaking to reporters on the second day of his indefinite fast at Antarwali Sarathi village, Jarange claimed that Marathas in some villages in Beed district were being assaulted for not voting for BJP's Pankaja Munde, who lost to NCP (SP) candidate Bajrang Sonawane in the recently held polls. He appealed to the home minister and Beed superintendent of police to take action against such violence and urged Maratha youth to maintain peace and communal harmony. The activist said leaders opposing Maratha interests would face consequences in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. Jarange launched an indefinite fast on Saturday, demanding implementation of the draft notification that recognises as Kunbis all blood relatives of Maratha community members a

'Marathas may contest assembly polls if quota demand not met by Jun 6'

Activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said that while he has decided to stay away from the Lok Sabha poll fray, the Maratha community members might contest the Maharashtra assembly elections if they are not provided reservation till June 6. The Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra will be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20 and state assembly polls are due later this year. Vote counting for the Lok Sabha polls will be held on June 4. "We are not involved in politics. We have not aligned with any party, neither the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi nor the ruling Mahayuti. We have not fielded any candidate and neither supported anyone," Jarange told reporters in Navi Mumbai. He was heading to 'Chaityabhoomi' in neighbouring Mumbai to pay homage to Dr B R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. The ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra comprises the Shiv Sena-led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP. The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by former CM Uddhav Thackeray and S

We'll back only those leaders who genuinely support Maratha quota: Jarange

Activist Manoj Jarange has accused the Maharashtra government of cheating Marathas over quota and declared that the community will back only those political leaders who genuinely support reservation for its members. The bill passed by the state legislature providing quota for Marathas in government jobs and education won't stand any legal scrutiny, Jarange claimed while addressing Sakal Maratha Samaj members at Udgir in Latur district on Wednesday. The activist also slammed Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleging that he wished to crush the Maratha agitation by hook or by crook. The government has deceived Marathas. It passed the Maratha reservation bill which we never demanded. I know the bill won't stand any legal scrutiny. We want the implementation of sage soyare' (kin from family tree). We want reservation under the OBC category only, he said. With just days to go for the Lok Sabha polls in the state, which will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20, Jara

VBA chief Ambedkar meets Maratha activist Jarange; discusses LS polls

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar held a meeting with Maratha quota agitation leader Manoj Jarange in the wee hours of Wednesday over the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra's Jalna district. The meeting, which lasted more than one hour, took place at Antarwali Sarati village where Jarange resides. The development assumes significance as Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, was eyeing to seal a poll pact with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for the April-May general elections. Ambedkar arrived in Antarwali Sarati village shortly after Tuesday midnight. Talking to reporters after their meeting, Ambedkar said, "Lok Sabha polls are just round the corner. We held talks over the elections." When asked whether the VBA plans to contest the election with Jarange, Ambedkar said, "We will let you know at the appropriate time." Jarange urged members of the Maratha community to seek opinion from people on the idea of fielding one independent ..

Maratha community should select LS candidates before Mar 30: Jarange

Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday appealed to the Maratha community to choose candidates for contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as independents before March 30. The Maratha community holds sway over 17-18 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, he claimed. With their influence, they can garner the support of not only Muslims and Dalit communities but also wider section of the society, Jarange said addressing a meeting of the Maratha community members, who had come from across the state, at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district. Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20 and votes will be counted on June 4. "I don't know politics and am not interested in it," Jarange said. He said the Maratha community members such choose candidates, irrespective of caste and religion and those not belonging to any political party, before March 30. A decision on fielding them as independe

Maha govt against 'suppression' of quota agitation: Jarange to Marathas

Activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday expressed fear that he might be arrested and asked Marathas to stay calm and write emails to the prime minister and Maharashtra chief minister to stop "suppression" of the quota agitation. The activist has been under fire for using intemperate language against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday as he alleged the BJP leader was trying to kill him. Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday directed the state government to set up a special investigation team (SIT) and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the Jarange's remarks against Fadnavis. The activist earlier used abusive words while observing a fast against non-implementation of the "sage soyre" (blood relatives of Kunbi Marathas) draft notification by the state government. The notification was issued in January for issuing certificates to eligible Kunbi (OBC) Marathas. Jarange was speaking to reporters on Wednesday at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinaga

Maratha stir: Internet services suspended in 3 districts of Maharashtra

Internet services were suspended on Monday in Maharashtra's Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed districts to maintain law and order in view of the Maratha quota agitation led by activist Manoj Jarange, officials said on Monday. As a precautionary measure, borders of these districts have also been sealed, they said. The internet services in the three districts have been suspended with effect from 6 am to 4 pm to avoid any untoward incident due to rumours on social media platforms, an official said quoting an order of the state home department. Three cases has been registered in Beed district for agitations without permission, another official said adding that two persons have been arrested for damaging a state transport bus. Earlier, curfew was imposed in Ambad taluka of Jalna district from Monday midnight to prevent any law and order issue in view of the ongoing agitation by Jarange. There is a possibility that quota supporters may arrive at Antarwali Sarati village in Amba

Activist Jarange accuses Fadnavis of sabotaging Maratha quota protests

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday alleged that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was conspiring to sabotage protests staged by the community for reservation in government jobs and education. Addressing a gathering at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange claimed that Fadnavis was trying to defame him by roping in people to malign his image. When the lathi-charge happened during protests in Jalna last year, Fadnavis had to apologise. This hurt him deeply, so he is trying to sabotage the Maratha quota protest, the activist said. He claimed that the state government was run by Fadnavis, not Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The activist alleged that Fadnavis was trying to threaten the Marathas in the state, and the move would backfire on him. He further said, Unfortunately, some Maratha leaders in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were helping Fadnavis defame me. Jarange warned that he would begin a protest

Maha govt using tricks, conspiracies to undermine Maratha stir: Jarange

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday accused the Maharashtra government of using tricks and conspiracies to undermine their ongoing agitation for reservation for the community in government jobs and education. Addressing the media at his Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange said he would disclose his next course of action on Sunday and asked people from the community to gather there. He alleged that the government was deploying tricks and conspiracies the scuttle their efforts for quota and questioned the delay in converting the notification on blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law. Jaranage also accused the police of registering cases against Maratha protesters at the behest of the state home minister (Devendra Fadnavis). The activist urged Maratha community members to hold rasta roko (road blockade) from 11 am to 1 pm at their respective places on Saturday, revising his earlier call to hold such demonstrations in morning or evening hours. The Maharas

Reservation to Maratha's will be as per terms of law, says CM Eknath Shinde

He said that the (during the survey) backward commission also took the assistance of various other organisations

Will visit Mumbai to press for Maratha quota implementation: Jarange

Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said he would go to Mumbai on February 18 or 19 to press for the demand of converting the Maharashtra government's draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law. His comments came a day after the Maharashtra government said a special session of the state legislature would be held on February 20 to discuss reservation and other demands of the Maratha community. Jarange's health condition has deteriorated, said an activist close to him as he continued the indefinite fast for the sixth day at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for the demand for inclusion of the Maratha community into the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. Speaking to reporters in a feeble voice, Jarange said, "I would go to Mumbai on February 18 or 19 to press for the implementation of the draft notification on 'sage soyre' (blood relatives) of Kunbi Marathas." Kishor Markad, a Maratha activist who is monitoring Jarange's health, sai