The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): Maratha quota proponent Manoj Jarange faces legal charges due to unauthorized demonstrations and road blockages orchestrated by his supporters in Maharashtra’s Beed district, as reported by the police on Monday. Although Jarange was not physically present at the protest sites, he is implicated because the protests were a response to his call for action. The demonstrations led to about 80 individuals being charged with various offenses including unlawful assembly and disobedience to a public servant’s order.
The contentious protests occurred at Jatnandur Phata in Shirur village and on the Beed-Ahmed Nagar Road in Patoda, where demonstrators expressed their dissent against the state government. In a separate incident, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cautioned Jarange against challenging the government’s patience, especially after Jarange accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of life-threatening actions against him. Jarange alleged an attempt on his life through poisoning via a saline drip, though he did not provide further details.
Jarange’s recent demonstrations, which lacked official permission and violated prohibitory orders, have led to his name being added to the list of accused. His activism centers on the implementation of a draft notification by the Maharashtra government, which involves issuing certificates to the blood relatives of eligible Kunbi Marathas, a subgroup within the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Jarange insists on issuing Kunbi certificates to ‘sage soyre’ or blood relatives of Kunbi Marathas and seeks a specific OBC quota for the Maratha community.
Following 17 days of a hunger strike, Jarange discontinued his protest on Monday. Meanwhile, CM Shinde, expressing his concerns over repeated protests, warned against creating law and order issues and hinted at a conspiracy involving Jarange. He suggested that Jarange’s actions might be connected to political figures like Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.
Deputy CM Fadnavis hinted at knowing the forces behind Jarange and promised revelations in due course. Fadnavis also responded to Jarange’s intention to protest in Mumbai, noting that his official residence is open to anyone with legitimate concerns.