Jarange’s agitation in Mumbai will create obstruction in Hindu festivals: Minister Shelar

Mumbai, Sep 16 (PTI) Maharashtra BJP minister Ashish Shelar on Wednesday said Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s planned protest in Mumbai will create obstruction in celebration of Hindu festivals as countless devotees throng the state capital and Pune during the ongoing Ganeshotsav.

Shelar expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Mumbai-bound Jarange, whose indefinite fast has entered the 19th day, and urged him to call off his proposed protest in the metropolis.

The Minister of Information and Technology, and Culture said 13 of the 14 demands made so far by the 44-year-old activist related to reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education have been fulfilled by the Devendra Fadnavis government.

He said it was under his purview to appeal to Jarange’s supporters not to come to Mumbai.

If Jarange takes an inclusive stand then it is welcome and is police’s prerogative to give him permission or not (for protest in Mumbai), Shelar maintained.

“You (Jarange) should take care of your health. We are concerned about your health. We fear the agitation will create obstruction in Hindu festivals. The Ganesh festival is being celebrated across the state with fanfare. A large number of devotees throng Pune and Mumbai (during Ganeshotsav). Even the Maratha community does not want (obstruction in festivities). You should also not do it. This our request as well as instruction to Manoj ji (to put off stir),” he said.

He said there was no rationale in Jarange’s current demand of providing reservation under the OBC category for the Marathas with the Kunbi caste genealogy.

When Shiv Sena leader Ekanth Shinde was Chief Minister (June 2022-December 2024), a law was enacted to give 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in education and government jobs, Shelar pointed out.

He said criticism of the BJP-led Mahayuti government was welcome, but use of derogatory words against the Chief Minister or his deputies was unacceptable.

Earlier in the day, Jarange said his Mumbai tour might be cancelled due to the health issues arising from his ongoing hunger strike.

His blood pressure and sugar level were very low and he was suffering from acute dehydration, a government doctor said.

Jarange, whose fast entered the 19th day on Wednesday, reached Patoda in Beed district at around 11 am, nearly 14 hours after setting out from Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, more than 400km from Mumbai, where he launched his indefinite hunger strike in August-end.

The Mumbai Police have denied permission to the activist, who has been demanding reservation under the OBC category for the Marathas with the Kunbi caste genealogy, to take his ongoing protest to Azad Maidan in the metropolis. PTI PR RSY

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