‘Final fight, either bullets will kill me or hunger strike will’: Manoj Jarange extends Maratha protest till Saturday; govt yet to reach out

MUMBAI: The hunger strike launched by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange at Azad Maidan, which brought Mumbai to a halt Friday, is set to continue Saturday with the police extending permission for one more day.

However, the protest which was largely peaceful is set to become more combative with Jarange accusing the govt of closing toilets and tea shops to deny food and water to activists. He warned that they will retaliate in equal measure and also attacked CM Fadnavis."This is the final fight. Either the govt will kill me with bullets or I will die in the hunger strike," said Jarange, whose agitation which demands Kunbi (OBC) status for Marathas comes shortly before local body polls due this year.

Around 30,000 Maratha protesters converged in the city.

The govt did not send a delegation to meet Jarange. Earlier in the day, CM Fadnavis said, "We are supportive of the agitation because such agitations are a part of democracy. We are following court orders on the issue. A path has to emerge through talks."Several OBC outfits have announced a parallel agitation from Saturday to safeguard their 27% reservation. They also rallied behind the chief minister whom Jarange has targeted.

In ‘final fight’, Jarange targets CM Fadnavis

Accusing govt of denying protesters access to food and water, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said, “Marathas will not forget how they were treated. We will retaliate. When you come to our villages, we will close down water.”Jarange took on CM Fadnavis and asked what his achievement was. Referring to police action on their protest in Antarwali Sarati 2 years ago, he said, “What was your achievement? You broke the heads of our mothers and sisters two years ago.

You promised a loan waiver to farmers and took their vote but did not grant it. You took away the stipend of the Laadki Bahin Yojana. You denied Dhangars their quota.” He asked protesters to park their vehicles at designated parking areas and take the train to attend the protest as far as possible on Saturday.Targeting the opposition, Fadnavis said, “There are those trying to escalate the situation and pit one community against the other.

Those trying to roast their political cause will find their face gets burnt.” Meanwhile, revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil who heads the sub-committee on the quota said a solution would emerge from dialogue.While NCP, Congress and NCP (SP) have a large Maratha following, OBCs are mainly with BJP. Dy CM Eknath Shinde is also a Maratha. OBC groups have announced a counter-agitation and this polarisation could well benefit BJP.Jarange has not only demanded Kunbi status for Marathas, he also wants those with Kunbi family records to get the caste certificate.Several MLAs from Marathwada, including 2 from Ajit Pawar’s party which is part of Mahayuti govt, called on Jarange at Azad Maidan, an indication of the following for the protest in the region. NCP’s Beed MLA Prakash Solankhe and Vijaysinh Pandit from Georai met Jarange. MLAs and MPs from the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) too were there.

Among the MPs were Bajrang Sonawane, Bhaskar Bhagore and Nilesh Lanke from NCP (SP) and Sanjay Jadhav from Sena (UBT).Unlike the protests during Shinde’s tenure, govt did not rush to placate Jarange. Indeed, Shinde repeated Fadnavis’ view in saying the Maratha quota could not cut into the OBC reservation. “What was possible was given after following the law and without causing any harm,” Shinde said.Jarange, who had arrived at the venue before 10 am, had already set the tone by saying the protest would not end in a day .

“Without gaining the gulal of victory for Marathas, we should not move from here.”He also said he was willing to face bullets and jail. “I’m ready to sacrifice my life but I will not withdraw. Even if I am put in jail I will continue my protest,” he said. He appealed to followers to remain peaceful. He said since he was sitting at Azad Maidan, they could vacate Mumbai and wait in Navi Mumbai.