Shinde attends Parbhani rally despite Jarange-Patil’s threat, assures “justice” for Marathas

Eknath Shinde said that the Mahayuti government understood Manoj Jarange-Patil’s “deep concern” about the Maratha reservation issue and was committed to ensuring justice for the community without affecting the existing OBC quota

MUMBAI: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange -Patil on Sunday locked horns with deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde over a farmers’ rally in Parbhani organised by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Jadhav. Jarange-Patil had warned Shinde not to attend the event or “face the consequences” but Shinde went ahead with the rally nevertheless.

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil speaks to media during his protest (ANI Video Grab)

In an attempt to pacify the activist, Shinde said that the Mahayuti government understood Jarange-Patil’s “deep concern” about the Maratha reservation issue and was committed to ensuring justice for the community without affecting the existing OBC quota. State industries minister Uday Samant, who is part of the team holding discussions with Jarange-Patil, said the government hoped to find an acceptable solution within 24 hours.

Jarange-Patil, who resumed his indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, called Jadhav on Sunday morning and urged him to cancel the farmers’ rally. He ordered that Shinde should not travel to Parbhani while the Maratha community was engaged in its struggle and also threatened that if this happened, he would head to Parbhani himself.

Jadhav initially sought time to respond, but later made it clear that the rally could not be cancelled at the last moment. Addressing the gathering, he said that Jarange-Patil had every right to criticise him, and asserted that he and Shinde would continue to stand by him.

When Shinde reached Parbhani for the scheduled rally, protests were staged by Jarange-Patil’s supporters, some of whom were detained by the police. During Shinde’s speech too, some activists raised slogans and displayed black flags. However, when the police attempted to intervene, Shinde stopped them. “These are our own people. Don’t stop them. Let them come to the stage,” Shinde said from the dais. Explaining his decision to attend the rally, Shinde said cancelling it at the last moment was not possible as preparations had been underway for over two months.

The deputy CM also praised Jarange-Patil for his efforts on the Maratha reservation issue and said the government understood his concerns. Shinde recalled that both his own Shiv Sena-BJP government as well as the BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis between 2014 and 2019 had worked towards providing reservation to the Maratha community.

Shinde’s speech was cut short after the microphone system developed a technical snag. He subsequently left the stage and went into the crowd to meet people.

Fadnavis said the government was in touch with Jarange-Patil and discussions were underway to address his demands. “Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is also sensitive to the issue,” he said. “The government is willing to discuss and resolve demands that fall within the limits of the law and the rulings of the Supreme Court.”