If betrayed over Maratha quota, we will make them bite the dust in polls: Jarange

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sept 4: Activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday warned that if Marathas face betrayal over quota, they will “make them (governing parties) bite the dust” in polls and asserted that all members of the community would be included under the OBC category.

The quota movement leader was talking to reporters at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he was admitted after calling off his 5-day-old hunger strike in Mumbai to press for reservation in education and government jobs for Marathas.

Jarange ended his stir on Tuesday after the Maharashtra government announced the formation of a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of their Kunbi heritage, a social group classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state.

“If the Hyderabad and Satara gazettes are not implemented in a month, we will make them (ruling parties) bite the dust in the upcoming elections. Step by step, I will ensure that the entire Maratha community is included in the OBC category,” he asserted.

The activist said his struggle for reservation is for Marathas from across the state.

“The agitation will continue as the Marathas in the Konkan region are yet to be covered. The people of Konkan should avail themselves of the reservation benefits, or else they will regret it after 40-50 years. They should not listen to anyone and put their future generations in jeopardy,” he said.

When reporters asked him about the move to form a cabinet sub-committee to expedite the welfare measures for the OBCs and resolve issues related to reservation, Jarange said they had no objection.

“If we get something, they (some OBC leaders) make demands. They always whine. But if OBCs benefit from it, we are happy. If the government is initiating such steps for OBCs, they should also constitute sub-committees for Dalits, Muslims, tribals and farmers,” he added.

The emotive Maratha quota issue appeared to be far from settled after Maharashtra minister and prominent OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Wednesday openly expressed his displeasure over the government resolution (GR) issued to speed up the grant of Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas.

Bhujbal even skipped a cabinet meeting and later indicated that he would mount a legal challenge. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

A.G.I.L.E. with ADAPTAGILITY

Dilip Muketjea CEO Braindancing International L.I.F.E. Coach, Author, Consultant,...

AR Rahman on teaming up with Hans Zimmer for ‘Ramayana’: He is a prolific composer

Mumbai, Sept 4: "Ramayana" will bring together two powerhouse...

India-Singapore relations go far beyond diplomacy: PM Modi

New Delhi, Sept 4: India and Singapore on Thursday...

One killed, 14 injured in blast at explosives unit in Nagpur

Nagpur, Sept 4: A person was killed and 14...

Shikhar Dhawan appears before ED in illegal betting app case

New Delhi, Sept 4: Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories