Maratha quota agitation ends after Maha accepts demands

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Tuesday declared victory and ended his indefinite fast on its fifth day after the Maharashtra government accepted most of his demands, including granting Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas in the Marathwada region, which will make them eligible for reservation benefits under the OBC category.

- Surendra P Gangan

“We have won,” Jarange-Patil told his supporters at Mumbai's Azad Maidan after members of the cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation, headed by minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, met him and conveyed acceptance of his demands.

‘Jarange-Patil, 43, was in tears as he accepted a glass of fruit juice offered by Vikhe-Patil, marking the end of his fast that began on August 29, promptinga laud cheer from his supporters who danced tothe beats of the drums and burst crackers in celebration. The announcement also brought a massive relief to Mumbai residents, who faced hardship during theagitation.

Earlier in the day, the Bombay high court told Jarange-Patil and protesters to vacate Azad Maidan by 3pm, noting they are holding the protest without permission. It also pulled up the state government over its handling of the situation. “Jarange and his supporters have violated the law and have no right to occupy Azad Maidan without permission... We are not satisfied with the state government either. There seems to be some lapse on the part of the governmentalso,” the high court noted.

The court accepted the activist’s request to allow him to stay at protest site till Wednesday morning.