Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has responded to Amruta Fadnavis’ invitation to visit her home for a meal, saying he would accept the invitation on Bhaubeej.
Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had referred to Jarange as her “brother” while speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Wednesday. She then invited him to her home for a meal amid his ongoing agitation over Maratha reservation.
Jarange responded to the gesture on Thursday but said the timing of such an invitation should be viewed in the context of his ongoing protest.
“Tai has said it, so I will go for the meal. But when a brother is on the field and fighting for a cause, a sister should not invite him for a meal,” Jarange said.
He added that he would visit Amruta Fadnavis on Bhaubeej and said he would take traditional gifts for her.
The activist also used the occasion to stress that his focus remains on the demands behind his agitation.
Jarange Continues Maratha Quota Agitation
Jarange has been on hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtra’s Jalna district for 13 days as he presses the state government to address the Maratha community’s demand for reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Among his key demands are the implementation of the Hyderabad and Satara Gazette records and the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community.
The prolonged hunger strike has raised concerns about Jarange’s health, while the state government has said that efforts are being made on a priority basis to address the issues raised by the protesters.
Activist Signals Move Towards Mumbai
Despite the invitation from Amruta Fadnavis, Jarange has maintained that his agitation will continue. He has also reiterated his intention to take the protest to Mumbai.
“I am definitely going to Mumbai,” Jarange said, adding that the protesters would come together on September 12 and announce the next date of action.
He also questioned the government’s efforts to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi certificates and said he would monitor how the process was being implemented.
The government, meanwhile, has indicated that its delegation would visit Antarwali Sarati if it is confident that it can make meaningful progress on Jarange’s demands.
With the protest continuing and Jarange signalling a possible move towards Mumbai, the Maratha reservation issue remains a major political challenge for the Maharashtra government.
