Amid the ongoing Maratha reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil, activist Ajay Baraskar has approached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) with a complaint alleging financial irregularities of more than ₹1,000 crore involving Jarange and some people associated with him.
Baraskar submitted the complaint as Jarange entered the 14th day of his hunger strike. The development comes just before Jarange is expected to announce the next phase of the agitation, including a possible march towards Mumbai.
Baraskar, who said he has been associated with the Maratha reservation movement since 2006, alleged that the campaign has witnessed financial and organisational irregularities over the past three years. He claimed that he had formally brought these allegations before the ED and sought an investigation.
The allegations have not been independently established, and an ED complaint by itself does not establish wrongdoing.
Baraskar Names Jarange’s Associates
Baraskar’s complaint reportedly names several people associated with Jarange, including Pandurang Tarak, Kishor Bhalande, Gangadhar Kalkute, Shriram Kurankar, Sanjay Katare, Swapnil Tar and Badrinath Tarak. Jarange’s brother-in-law, Vilas Khedkar, has also been named, according to Baraskar.
He alleged that some of the individuals named in the complaint had links to illegal sand mining. However, Baraskar did not cite any confirmed government or investigative finding establishing those allegations.
The activist also questioned the contribution made by Jarange to the reservation movement, arguing that the wider Maratha community’s efforts had played a role in securing the SEBC reservation introduced during the Devendra Fadnavis government.
Baraskar further questioned what he described as a lack of clarity over the outcome of earlier demands raised during the agitation, including the ‘sage-soyare’ issue.
Questions Over Jarange’s Hunger Strike
Baraskar also criticised Jarange’s ongoing hunger strike and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his health.
He alleged that hunger strikes had repeatedly been used as a method of pressure during the agitation and questioned whether the protest had delivered the results being sought.
Baraskar also raised questions about demands linked to the Hyderabad Gazette and other historical documents. He questioned the research, legal groundwork and expertise behind some of the demands being advanced by the Maratha quota movement.
These remarks are Baraskar’s allegations and have not been independently verified.
Claims About Wealth of Associates
The activist also made allegations about the financial position and assets of some people close to Jarange.
Referring specifically to Pandurang Tarak, Baraskar claimed that he had acquired 28 acres of land despite allegedly having no regular source of employment. Baraskar said he possessed 7/12 land records which, according to him, supported his claim.
He also questioned Jarange’s alleged use of a Land Rover Defender, contrasting the vehicle with the financial difficulties faced by economically weaker sections of the Maratha community.
Baraskar additionally raised questions over medical treatment reportedly received by Jarange’s son at a private hospital.
None of these allegations has been independently established.
Complaint Comes as Mumbai March Looms
The ED complaint comes at a politically sensitive moment for the Maratha reservation movement. Jarange has been on hunger strike for 14 days, with the agitation entering another crucial phase.
Jarange is expected to announce his next course of action, including details of a proposed march towards Mumbai.
The latest allegations by Baraskar could add another layer to the ongoing political and legal debate surrounding the reservation movement. Any action by the ED or other authorities would determine whether the allegations raised in the complaint lead to a formal investigation.
