Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent activist leading the movement for Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, ended his nine-day hunger strike on Wednesday, September 25th. Patil, who had been protesting at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, decided to call off his fast, citing the sentiments of the Maratha community. Despite ending his hunger strike, he vowed to continue fighting for their inclusion under the Other Backward Castes (OBC) category.
Patil’s hunger strike was a powerful demonstration of the Maratha community’s demand for reservation in education and government jobs. In February of this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill granting a 10% reservation for the Marathas under a separate category. However, Patil and many members of the community believe this is insufficient and insist that the Marathas should be categorized as OBCs.
His words to his supporters were clear: “We will deal with those who have hurt the Maratha community.” This statement highlights the strong feelings of frustration and injustice within the community, fueled by the ongoing struggle for equal opportunities and recognition. While Patil’s hunger strike has ended, the Maratha reservation movement continues, demanding a more inclusive and equitable future for the community.
