Manoj Jarange calls off quota stir

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has called off the protest demanding reservation for Maratha communities in government jobs and education in Maharashtra, saying that the Ekhnath Shinde-led government has accepted their request. Patil praised the Shiv Sena Chief Minister and said he will end his fast on Saturday by drinking juice from Shinde.

"Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has done a good job. Our protest is now over. Our request has been accepted. We will accept the letter from him. I will drink juice by the hands of the Chief Minister tomorrow (Saturday)," Jarange Patil told reporters.

His announcement came as a protest march by the quota activists, which started from Jalna on January 20, was set to enter Mumbai city on Saturday.

The Maharashtra government has issued a Government Resolution (GR) on the caste reservation and Ministers Deepak Kesarkar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha handed a letter to Manoj Jarange Patil saying that all his demands were accepted.

Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat also confirmed that the protesters had 'reached a solution' on



Friday.

"A movement which was going on in Maharashtra for Maratha reservation under the leadership of Manoj Jarange Patil, has reached a solution today... The ordinance that was passed today has the solution to all the problems," the minister said.

He added, "Manoj Jarange Patil has announced that since the solution has been received, there is no need to continue the protests. CM Eknath Shinde will end Manoj Jarange Patil's fast with juice. The movement has reached a solution."

According to government sources, the process of issuing caste certificate to those whose data has been formed will start immediately.

The government has also agreed to withdraw cases against Marathas registered during the reservation stir.

Additionally, Manoj Jarange had demanded an increase in the time frame of the Shinde Committee to find records in Marathwada. This demand has also been accepted by the government.

The Government Resolution on Maratha reservation will be converted into a law in the upcoming session in February.