Amid Protests, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Confirms Support For Maratha Quota, Urges Activist Manoj Patil To End Hunger Strike

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the state government's support for Maratha reservation and urged Maratha quota campaigner Manoj Jarange Patil to end his indefinite hunger strike.

During an all-party meeting on the quota issue, a resolution was passed by all leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar, urging Patil to call off his fast.

Shinde emphasised the need for Patil's cooperation in securing reservation for the community and called for restraint among the Maratha population.

The Chief Minister advised against violence and appealed to the Maratha community and political parties to avoid actions that could exacerbate the situation.

The Maharashtra government also issued an order directing officials to issue fresh Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members, enabling their access to reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Patil began his second phase of the hunger strike on October 25, demanding complete reservation for the Maratha community, and even threatened to stop drinking water if the full quota was not granted.

The situation escalated when police took action at the hunger strike site on September 1, resulting in injuries to several individuals.

Patil had previously observed a 14-day hunger strike that ended on September 14 after receiving assurances from Chief Minister Shinde.

The resolution passed during the all-party meeting emphasised the government's commitment to Maratha reservation and the need for legal modalities for its implementation.