“Devendra Fadnavis Wants To Divide Maratha Community But…”: Maratha Reservation Activist Manoj Jarange Patil

Satara (Maharashtra) [India]: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Monday accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of “dividing” the Maratha community and said that it won’t happen as Marathas are “united.”

“I had some medical issues yesterday after the public rally. There were issues with oxygen and blood pressure. Currently, also blood pressure is low but I will be going to Ahmednagar for my scheduled program today and then to Nashik…I don’t take Chhagan Bhujbal seriously because whatever he says are the words of Devendra Fadnavis. Chhagan Bhujbal only speaks for the political benefits. Devendra Fadnavis wants to divide the Maratha community but Marathas are united. As long as I live, Marathas would remain united and his dream won’t be fulfilled,” Patil said.

On Sunday, a peace rally was organised in Pune, led by Manoj Jarange-Patil, to advocate for the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation category.

The rally, organised by the Maratha Kranti Morcha aims to mobilize local community members in support of this long-standing reservation demand.

Manoj Jarange Patil and his supporters have been demanding Maratha community be classified as Kunbis and those who are included in the OBC category implement the Sage Soyare notification.

Jarange-Patil, who has been a key figure in various protests for the Maratha reservation, has been actively campaigning across Western Maharashtra since August 7.

During his address, Patil said, “The government tried to terrorise our community from the start of this agitation, which also created confusion among the community that Maratha could not unite; therefore, we are here to show that we are strong and united with the same strength that was seen in Solapur, Satara.”

He also added, “DCM Devendra Fadnavis is conspiring against me .. because I was not listening to anyone and this conspiracy was done thru various leaders including Chaghan Bhujbal but I want to warn Devendra Fadnavis from Pune if doesn’t stop conspiring against me, then I will do a proper programme of yours.”

Jarange-Patil, who has been a key figure in various protests for the Maratha reservation, has been actively campaigning across Western Maharashtra since August 7. His tour has covered several districts, including Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Satara, and will culminate in Pune on August 11.

The rally has drawn a large turnout of Maratha community members, who assembled to demand recognition of their rights and inclusion in the OBC category. The event is intended to be a peaceful demonstration of the community’s resolve and commitment to their cause.

Manoj Jarange Patil has been at the forefront of the agitation for reservation, and this rally is seen as a significant step towards mobilising public support and putting pressure on the government to address their demand.

The rally started from Sarasbag and concluded at the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj statue in Deccan area with address by Manoj Jarange Patil.