Maratha quota stir: Jarange gives ultimatum to govt, demands free education

In a fresh demand, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Friday gave Maharashtra government an ultimatum to amend its free education policy to include all Marathas.

Jarange warned that if the demands are not met then he along with his supporters would enter Mumbai on Saturday for their planned protest at Azad Maidan ground. He had given time till 11 am on Saturday for the government to make the decision.

While addressing a rally at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi area, Jarange said he will stay put in Navi Mumbai for the day. "I am taking a step backward." He also added that he stopped having food from Friday and was taking only water.

"If an ordinance (to meet his various demands) is not promulgated tonight, I will come to Mumbai tomorrow...I will take decision on going to Azad Maidan (in Mumbai) tomorrow at noon. Once I set out, there will be no turning back," said the activist.

Jarange added that free education policy should be amended so that boys also get free education besides girls.

The protesters are also demanding Kunbi (OBC) status to the Maratha community. "The government has told me that 54 lakh Kunbi records (records showing that a Maratha person/family belongs to Kunbi community) have been found, of which 37 lakh certificates have been given. Who are these people? We need data," he said.

"More than two crore Marathas will get OBC certificates after Kunbi records are found," Jarange added.

Once a person is established as belonging to the Kunbi caste, all his/her relatives should get reservation, he demanded. Among his other demands also icluded withdrawal of cases registered against Maratha activists during quota protests.

Though the Mumbai Police denied permission to hold a hunger strike in the city, Jarange announced on Thursday that he will reach Azad Maidan on Friday. If the Maratha protesters reach the city in their vehicles, it will collapse the Mumbai city's everyday transport system.

State education minister Deepak Kesarkar told reporters earlier in the day that Jarange's demands had been accepted, and would be fulfilled as per government procedure.