Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has announced a fresh escalation in the agitation, saying members of the community will march from Antarwali Sarati in Jalna to Mumbai from September 15. Jarange said he will begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on September 19.
Speaking after a decisive meeting of the Maratha community at Antarwali Sarati, Jarange asked those present whether they wanted to continue the agitation there or march to Mumbai. After the gathering backed the Mumbai march, he declared, “Mumbai final”.
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Jarange said the march will begin at 11 am on September 15 and that his fast will continue during the journey. He said the group could take two to four days to reach Mumbai and vowed not to return from the city without securing reservation for the Maratha community.
MARCH ROUTE ANNOUNCED
Jarange said the proposed route will include stops at Patoda in Beed district, Shrigonda in Ahilyanagar district, Hadapsar in Pune district and Khopoli in Raigad district. Khopoli has currently been identified as the final halt before Mumbai.
He appealed to Maratha community members in Patoda, Shrigonda, Pune city, Hadapsar, Khopoli and surrounding areas to prepare for the march. Those unable to travel to Mumbai were asked to join the agitation at different points along the route and extend their support.
CALL FOR PEACEFUL PROTEST
Jarange urged supporters to keep the agitation completely peaceful and specifically appealed against arson and stone-pelting. He also appealed to the police and the Home Department not to stop protesters by putting up barricades.
He said that if protesters are stopped, they should sit peacefully at the spot and continue their agitation. Jarange stressed that the protest should remain peaceful from Antarwali Sarati to Mumbai and during the return journey after securing reservation.
Jarange also made a strong appeal to the community, saying that if the blood of any Maratha protester is shed, Maharashtra should be shut down within 10 minutes. He also called for peaceful sit-ins at the taluka level in such a situation.
GOVERNMENT STILL HAS TIME, SAYS JARANGE
Jarange said the government still has time to meet the community’s demands before the protesters reach Mumbai. He urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to announce the implementation of the Maratha community’s demands.
He said that if the government wants to hold talks, it can meet the protesters on their way to Mumbai or come to Azad Maidan for discussions.
Jarange also warned the BJP politically, saying that if Marathas were prevented from reaching Mumbai, it should be understood that their votes had moved away from the party. At the same time, he said he hoped Fadnavis would not stop the protesters.
Jarange urged supporters to arrange dry food and medical camps along the route. He also appealed to those unable to travel to Mumbai to spend at least a day along the march route to show solidarity.
ED ACTION CLAIM
During his address, Jarange also alleged that the government had given the names of people close to him to the Enforcement Directorate in an attempt to stop the agitation. He said that if his associates were being investigated, an application would also be made to the ED seeking an investigation into people close to Fadnavis.
Jarange became emotional while addressing the gathering and appealed to the Maratha community to stand firmly with the community and its youth rather than political leaders. He also urged voters to defeat leaders who do not attend meetings of the community.
Jarange reiterated that the agitation would not be withdrawn without reservation and that the protest in Mumbai would continue peacefully.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
