Maratha quota: Heat on Devendra Fadnavis singeing it, Shinde govt hardens stance against activist

Having steered the Maratha quota Bill through the House, the Maharashtra government appears to have decided to not treat activist Manoj Jarange Patil with kid gloves any more.

Sources said that a stern message regarding this had come from the central BJP leadership, after which Chief Minister Eknath Shinde slammed Jarange Patil’s latest claims, including a threat to his life.

Soon after Jarange Patil said, “Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis wants to do my encounter. They are slowly poisoning me through saline,” Shinde shot back on Sunday evening, telling the activist to not “cross his limits”.

The state government also lodged cases against Jarange Patil, over demonstrations held by his supporters without permission at two sites.

On Monday, Jarange Patil announced he was ending his 17-day-old fast, but said he would continue his agitation. “Three-four youths will sit here and fast every day for our demands. I will also visit some villages and explain my stand to them,” he said.

A Maratha leader, Shinde has earned much of the credit for defusing the series of crises sparked off by Jarange Patil’s agitation, including fasts unto death and threats of marching to Mumbai. On the other hand, the activist has reserved his brickbats for BJP leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

But, having met Jarange Patil’s central demand for a quota for Marathas, and promised that this 10% would be beyond the share for OBCs, the BJP feels its government has done its due. Jarange Patil is insisting now that Marathas who are kith and kin of those holding Kunbi certificates be additionally eligible for OBC quota. The government has said it is “considering” this, and wants Jarange Patil to call off his stir.

Shinde’s attack on the activist also follows