‘Everyone knows who’s firing from Manoj Jarange’s shoulder…’: Devendra Fadnavis amid Maratha quota stir

Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that while the state government is dedicated to improving the socio-economic status of the Marathas, it won’t yield to political pressure on demands that could cause injustice to OBCs.

His statement came after activist Manoj Jarange began an indefinite hunger strike at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Friday, vowing not to leave the city till the community's demands were met.

“By now, everyone knows who is firing from Manoj Jarange Patil’s shoulder. Such political plots will not work. Nor will they benefit electorally,” chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

While Fadnavis did not name any specific political party or person, his statement seemed to be aimed at the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) led by Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT).

“All those who are questioning the Mahayuti government should tell us what they did during their tenure. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray should show us at least one decision taken for Marathas’ interest during its 2.5-year tenure,” he said, claiming that the Maratha community received maximum support and help from the ruling government.

Fadnavis noted that the revival of the Annabhau Sathe Arthik Mahamandal, which led to the creation of 1.5 lakh Maratha entrepreneurs, was accomplished during his tenure as chief minister. He further acknowledged the significant role of the mandal, led by Narendra Patil, in the empowerment of Marathas.

“Even Maratha reservation was first given during my tenure (2014-2019). From the construction of student hostels to scholarships, training of shudders for IAS, IPS, UPSC through the SARTHi scheme were all taken by our government,” he was quoted.

Fadnavis reiterated that providing reservation to Marathas under the OBC category is irrational, emphasising that OBCs are a group of 350 communities whose reservation cannot be diluted. He noted that the government has already provided a separate 10 percent quota for Marathas.

He said that while the government is committed to uplifting the Maratha community, it cannot entertain any agitation done solely for political purposes.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the government must immediately hold a dialogue with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange and give justice to his community.

“The government must immediately hold dialogue (with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange) and give justice to the community,” Thackeray told reporters. There should be a respectable solution to the issue, the former CM said.

Jarange has been demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas under the OBC category. He wants all Marathas to be recognised as Kunbis – an agrarian caste included in the OBC category – which will make them eligible for reservation in government jobs and education.