Maratha Activist Jarange-Patil to Start Mumbai Hunger Strike from January 26
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has made a significant decision to prepones his march to Mumbai by four days in order to pursue reservation for his community. Originally scheduled to leave on January 24, the new plan is for Jarange-Patil and his protestors to depart on January 20. Upon reaching Mumbai, he will commence an indefinite hunger strike on January 26.
Jarange-Patil has also announced that the march will be a hybrid one, utilizing both walking and vehicles to cover the distance within the prescribed time of seven days. With several lakhs of people expected to join him, Mumbai’s traffic is likely to come to a standstill.
The demand for reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and education has been the central focus of Jarange-Patil’s activism. Over the past few months, he has conducted multiple hunger strikes, while the government has tried to appease him. After discussions with a government delegation consisting of senior ministers and retired judges, Jarange-Patil had agreed to wait until December 24 for his demand to be fulfilled. However, on December 26, he announced his decision to march to Mumbai on January 24 and commence a fast unto death at Azad Maidan upon arrival.
Jarange-Patil has now revealed the specifics of his revised plan. The protestors will start their day by walking for three to four hours, and after lunch, they will continue their journey in their respective vehicles. The march will cover a distance of over 400 km within a seven-day timeframe.
On the first day, they will travel 82 km from Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna to Shirur in Beed district. The second day will take them to Karanji Ghat in Ahmednagar, followed by Ranjangaon in Pune on the third day, Chandan Nagar in Pune on the fourth, Lonavala on the fifth, and finally reaching Panvel or Chembur by the end of the sixth day. On January 26, they will walk from either Panvel or Chembur to either Azad Maidan or Shivaji Park, where they will begin their indefinite hunger strike.
Jarange-Patil declared that this would be the final struggle for Maratha reservation, emphasizing that the number of protestors participating in the march will far exceed the state government’s expectations. He stated, We will not move from there (Azad Maidan or Shivaji Park) till we die.
As this important event unfolds, the demand for Maratha reservation continues to be a pressing issue. Mumbai’s residents can anticipate significant disruptions to traffic as the protestors make their way towards the city. The outcome of this hunger strike and its impact on government action remains to be seen.
In conclusion, Jarange-Patil’s decision to advance his march showcases his dedication to the cause of securing reservation for the Maratha community. The significance of this event cannot be understated, as it has the potential to escalate into a decisive moment in the struggle for reservation rights.
