Pune: Several OBC activists have urged the govt to take legal action against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to break his ongoing hunger strike. They strongly objected to the state sending an official delegation to the Marathwada region to discuss the demands raised by him.Jarange has been on a hunger strike for nearly two weeks. A state delegation led by minister Uday Samant reached Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to address the issues raised by the Maratha leader. However, OBC activists opposing Jarange have strongly objected to the govt’s stance, accusing the state of going soft on the Maratha agitator.A few days ago, Mangesh Sasane, an OBC activist from Pune, started a parallel counter-agitation in Antarwali Sarati village—the same site as Jarange’s protest—but he was quickly detained by the police. Sasane claimed that the state is practicing a double standard by not using the same police force to dismantle Jarange’s protest.“Jarange has been using foul language against senior ministers of the govt. He is instigating his community members to march to Mumbai, which will create a serious law and order situation right ahead of Ganeshotsav. Taking cognisance of these actions, the govt must take legal action against him and end his fast to maintain peace in the state,” Sasane said.Another prominent OBC activist, Laxman Hake, claimed the govt is giving Jarange unnecessary leverage. “Jarange’s demands are unconstitutional and directly threaten the existing quota for OBCs. The state govt should stop entertaining him and ensure no steps are taken that disturb the current OBC reservation framework.”
