Activist Manoj Jarange is currently engaged in an ongoing hunger strike, which has now reached its fifth day, advocating for the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Initiated on January 25, 2025, this marks Jarange’s seventh protest within just over a year. As reported, the health of the Maratha quota activist is now declining.
His health has reportedly begun to decline, yet he remains firm in refusing intravenous fluids, despite the urgent requests from health professionals and local leaders.
PTI reported that on January 29, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas visited him at the protest site in Antarwali Sarati, situated in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, encouraging him to reconsider his position on medical assistance.
District Civil Surgeon Dr. R S Patil and a medical team were on-site at the protest. They implored Jarange to accept medical help, but he remained unyielding.
after a request from local residents.
On Tuesday, after an appeal from Santosh Deshmukh’s family, the activist consented to drink water. However, he continues to decline intravenous fluids despite ongoing requests, as per health officials.
Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike has gained considerable attention, particularly as it intersects with wider demands for justice following the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a local sarpanch who was tragically killed on December 9, 2024.
Jarange has called for capital punishment for those involved in Deshmukh’s death, which has heightened the urgency of his protests. To date, Maharashtra Police have apprehended seven individuals in connection with the case.
The activist, along with 104 others, including women, commenced this hunger strike to exert pressure on the government to implement a draft notification that acknowledges Kunbis as ‘sage soyare’ (blood relatives) of Marathas.
This acknowledgment is vital for securing reservation rights under the OBC category. Despite previous legislative measures that granted a separate 10% reservation for Marathas in education and government jobs, Jarange maintains that this is insufficient and continues to advocate for OBC classification.
The activist on Saturday expressed optimism that the government would address the Maratha community’s demands, including their inclusion under the OBC category.
This marks Manoj Jarange Patil’s seventh indefinite fast since September 1, 2023, when police resorted to lathi charge against protesters at Antarwali Sarati.
