Manoj Jarange Rejects Collector's Appeal as Quota Fast Enters Day 5 in Jalna

Activist Manoj Jarange's indefinite hunger strike over the Maratha reservation issue entered its fifth day on Wednesday at Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district, as doctors voiced concern over his deteriorating health and the local administration urged him to call off the protest.

A team of doctors camping at the protest site reported that Jarange's blood sugar level had dropped. Despite medical advice to take intravenous fluids, the activist refused treatment.

Jalna Collector Ashima Mittal visited the protest site on Tuesday night as part of the state government's efforts to persuade Jarange to end his fast. During their meeting, Mittal outlined the measures taken by the government regarding the Maratha quota.

Jarange, however, questioned Mittal's role and urged her not to get involved, stating that the demands required decisions at the state government level. While noting that he respected the collector, Jarange refused to accept her explanation and asked her not to visit him again regarding the agitation, alleging that the state government was unnecessarily sending her to negotiate.

Jarange launched his latest indefinite hunger strike on August 29, demanding Maratha community members be recognised as Kunbis and granted reservation benefits available to Other Backward Classes in education and government jobs. He claimed that 58 lakh records establishing genealogical links between Marathas and Kunbis have been found, alleging that authorities were attempting to reduce that number.

His other demands include granting reservation based on the Satara Gazette, withdrawing police cases registered against quota protesters across Maharashtra, and providing government jobs and financial compensation to the families of individuals who died during earlier agitations. Jarange has threatened to escalate the agitation and move the protest to Mumbai if his demands remain unfulfilled.