- By Sahelee Rakshit
- Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manoj Jarange, an activist, stated on Monday that he will go on another indefinite hunger strike to demand reservations for the Maratha community in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Jarange, 42, told the media that he would reveal the date of his hunger strike on Tuesday.
He also extended an invitation to the Maratha community to participate in his demonstration. The announcement comes as the Mahayuti government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, is working to stabilise after expanding its cabinet on December 15.
He emphasised that the fast would be open to all members of the Maratha community, but he also made it clear that there was no obligation to join the hunger strike, which was a component of a larger quota campaign he was leading throughout the state.
"Anyone from the community who is willing to join the fast is welcome. There is no pressure on anyone," Jarange stated.
The activist contended that during the state legislature's winter session, which is taking place in Nagpur, the BJP-led government needs to demonstrate its intention to address the quota issue by taking decisive action.
He requested that the Hyderabad, Bombay, and Satara Gazetteers declare Maratha to be kunbi, and that the government adopt the draft notification of Sage soyare (near relations). A draft notification that would recognise Kunbis as "sage soyare" (those connected by birth or marriage) of Marathas and give them preference in employment and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category has been demanded by Jarange. The OBC category already provides quota benefits to the rural Kunbi population.