Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has begun an indefinite hunger strike under scorching sun in Jalna district, despite ongoing talks with the Maharashtra government and a written assurance that they would consider his demands.
Water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil met Jarange-Patil to persuade him to call off the protest, but the talks failed to produce a breakthrough as the government sought more time to implement key demands.
Jarange-Patil is unhappy with the government over delays in implementing assurances and promises made during a hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan last year.
His key demands include implementing the Hyderabad Gazetteer and Satara Gazetteer to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, creating a dedicated ministry for the Maratha community, and issuing caste validity certificates as Kunbi for the Maratha community.
