Navi Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday stated that the Maharashtra government has fulfilled almost all actionable demands, while remaining requests are subject to judicial and constitutional processes. He appealed to the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to reconsider the timing of his protest at Mumbai, saying that staging a hunger strike during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival is not ideal for anyone.
Responding to Jarange Patil’s resolve to start his march from September 15 and launch an indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation in Azad Maidan Mumbai from September 19, CM Fadnavis said, “Almost all demands have been fulfilled. Certain issues are currently before the courts or in various administrative stages. We have communicated that demands outside the framework set by the Constitution or the courts cannot be granted directly.”
CM Fadnavis emphasised that the government’s doors remain open for dialogue, while appealing to the activist to reconsider the timing of the protest.
“Staging a protest in Mumbai during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival will cause inconvenience to devotees, which is not ideal for anyone. This decision should be reconsidered,” he added.
Further, the Water Resources Minister and Cabinet sub-committee on Maratha quota Chairman, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil stated that the state government has done “everything possible” and fulfilled a vast majority of the community’s primary demands (such as processing over 58 lakh Kunbi records and issuing certificates).
He highlighted that implementation mechanisms—including gazette notifications, Kunbi certificate distribution across districts, and allocations for the Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation—are already underway.
Rejecting the government’s assurances, Jarange Patil issued an ultimatum setting September 19 for an indefinite fast-unto-death at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, if all core demands are not fully met.
However, Vikhe Patil also appealed to Jarange Patil to reconsider his decision to hold the protest in Mumbai amid the Ganeshotsav.
Jarange Patil heavily criticised Vikhe Patil, accusing him and the government sub-committee of delay tactics regarding gazette implementations (Satara and Hyderabad gazettes) and misleading the Maratha community.
Vikhe Patil maintained that the state government has delivered unprecedented legal and welfare support for the Maratha community and asks for cooperation over the agitation.
On his part, Jarange Patil remained firm on moving the protest directly to Mumbai if full implementation was not achieved within the stipulated timeframe.
–IANS
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