Maharashtra: Activist Manoj Jarange warns of protests if innocent Marathas targeted for Beed violence

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Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has asserted that innocent Marathas unrelated to the violence in Beed are being unfairly targeted, and he has warned of community protests if this perceived injustice persists.

Speaking in his native village, Antarwali Sarati, in Maharashtra's Jalna district, Jarange, recently discharged after a 10-day hospital stay following his second hunger strike for Maratha reservation, stated that despite engaging in peaceful and democratic agitation, Marathas are facing harassment and police actions.

Jarange revealed that discussions with the government have covered a time-bound program and the distribution of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas. He alleged that individuals not involved in the violence during the Maratha quota agitation in Beed are facing unwarranted harassment, with authorities compiling a list of 7,000 people accused of participating in the violence. The activist highlighted instances of public representatives' houses being set on fire in Beed city and district during the earlier agitation this month.

"We have had a dialogue with the government about a time-bound programme and distribution of (Kunbi caste) certificates to Marathas. We have also spoken about the injustice being done to our people in various parts of the state. The community is agitating peacefully and in a democratic manner. But they are being harassed and people are being taken away by the police," Jarange said.

"Irrespective of the pressure to suppress the agitation, we will not stop. If injustice is done to people, the Maratha community in Beed will take to the streets. We will agitate peacefully but stop the injustice being done to us," he said.

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Undeterred by pressure to suppress the agitation, Jarange emphasized that the Maratha community in Beed will take to the streets if injustice continues. He expressed the community's commitment to peaceful protest while demanding an end to perceived injustices.

Jarange, who has set a December 24 deadline for the government to address the reservation issue, is scheduled to tour the state from November 15 to 25. While committing not to disrupt the state government until December 24, he reminded them of the upcoming winter session, urging a resolution on reservations. He warned of potential agitation if there are further delays. (With inputs from PTI)