Pune Rally: Manoj Jarange Patil Criticizes Fadnavis, Announces Key Decision for August 29
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 12th August 2024: Yesterday, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, advocating for Maratha Reservation, led a Shantata Rally (Peace Rally) throughout Pune City, which received a tremendous response. At the end of the rally in the Deccan Gymkhana area, Jarange Patil addressed various issues, outlining his next plans. He targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and announced that a major decision would be taken on August 29th, in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Manoj Jarange Patil said, “The candidates and parties we elected want to prioritize their parties and candidates. We need to consider if any Marathas are working against the caste. A meeting will take place on 29th August, and the Maratha community should attend in large numbers. In this meeting, we will decide which candidates to elect or not. It’s easier to make a candidate lose—it’s fun. There isn’t a single constituency in the state where there are not at least 35,000 to 40,000 Maratha community voters. Those who harass Marathas will not be elected.”
He continued, “We have to field candidates; there are many potential candidates. If it is decided to fight, forming a party becomes inevitable. However, we must elevate the caste, and for that, we need to enter politics. We need to work for the community, not for selfish interests. If one of our candidates stands, we must stand behind him. If someone is only standing because they didn’t get the ticket, consider that candidate as being against our caste.”
Jarange Patil further said, “No one has the guts to go against the Maratha community, so they started trying to isolate and defame me. The MLAs who rose to prominence through backdoor politics began speaking against me. To confront them, I have to go to Mumbai. The power of the state should remain in the hands of the Marathas. The demand for reservations has reached its final stage. The government must grant reservations from the OBC quota. They have no choice but to confront me, as I will not compromise my integrity until I die.”
“Declare Kunbi as a Maratha Sub-caste”
Manoj Jarange Patil has always advocated for providing everyone in the Maratha community with reservations in jobs and education. Despite the Maharashtra Government announcing a 10% reservation months ago, he has demanded the implementation of the Sage Soyare clause. Regarding this, he said, “The Maratha community has received 70% reservation so far, but only if the Sage Soyare clause is implemented, 100% reservation will be achieved. Kunbi should be declared as a sub-caste of the Maratha community, all charges against Maratha protesters should be withdrawn, the EWS reservation should be implemented for students, and those with SEBC and Kunbi certificates should be given the option of OBC reservation.”
“Those Who Follow Fadnavis’s Lead…”
Jarange Patil has consistently criticized Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his alleged stance on the Maratha Reservation. In his rally yesterday, he targeted him again, saying, “The government is spreading terror in the state. There was a misconception that the Maratha community would never unite. The government used all its strength, and some were even gleeful, believing the Maratha community would never come together. But Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara, and Pune united and quashed the government’s intentions.”
He further said, “Realizing that I was not budging, splitting, or retreating from the Maratha community’s demand for reservation, they started plotting against me. A trap was laid. Those who spoke out against me or accused me were appointed to the Legislative Council. An attempt was made to break the organization through MLA Darekar. Minister Chhagan Bhujbal initiated the allegations. Some from Konkan also stood up and began speaking out. MLAs and ministers who were raised by the Maratha community started speaking against it. However, the Maratha community will not spare those who follow Fadnavis’s lead and oppose the community. Last year, Fadnavis spilled blood at Antarwali Sarati. However, that will not happen now”
Patil Hospitalized Post-Rally, Condition Stable
After this Peace Rally, Manoj Jarange Patil’s condition suddenly deteriorated. Following the rally, he suffered a collapse and fell unconscious, requiring admission to Sahyadri Hospital in Pune. Currently, his condition is reported to be stable.
