Activist Manoj Zerange is currently around the neck of an uncertain hunger strike, which has now entered its fifth day, as he advocates to include the Maratha community under other backward classes (OBC) category. Launched on 25 January 2025, it shows the seventh part of Jarang in such a year in just one year. According to news reports, the health of the Maratha Kota activist is now deteriorating.
Manoj Jarang Patil’s health has allegedly deteriorating, yet he remains firm in denying intravenous fluids, despite the pleas of health officials and local leaders.
PTI On the morning of 29 January, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas met him at the protest site in Antwali Sarati, located in Jalna district of Maharashtra, and urged him to reconsider his stance on medical intervention.
District Civil Surgeon Dr. RS Patil and a medical team were present at the protest site. He requested Jarang to accept medical intervention, but refused to move.
On Monday night, Zrenge had some water after request by the locals.
On Tuesday, after the request of Santosh Deshmukh’s family, the worker agreed to drink water. However, according to health officials, he has refused to take intravenous fluid despite repeated requests.
Manoj Jarang Patil’s hunger strike has attracted significant attention, especially it coincides with a comprehensive call for justice after the assassination of a local sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, which was tragically killed on 9 December 2024.
Gerange has demanded capital punishment for those responsible for Deshmukh’s death, which has urged his protests. Maharashtra Police has so far arrested seven persons in that case.
Activist and 104 other activists, including women,, this hunger strike led to the implementation of a draft notification to the Government of Devendra Fadnavis-as ‘SEZ Soyre’ (blood relatives) of the Marathas to the Kunbis as the Marathas. Recognizes.
This recognition is important to provide reservation rights under the OBC category. Despite the previous legislative efforts, which provided a separate 10% reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs, Gerange stressed that it is insufficient and continues to move for OBC classification.
On Saturday, the worker hoped that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would address the demands of the Maratha community, including his involvement under the OBC category.
This is the seventh indefinite fast of Manoj Jarang Patil since September 1, 2023, when the police charged protesters in Antwali Sarati.
