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Tezzbuzz Desk- Agitation leader Manoj Jarange, who had launched a front against the Maharashtra government demanding Maratha reservation, has ended his indefinite hunger strike. After lengthy talks with state government representatives and receiving a 12-point proposal, they decided to call off the agitation for the time being.

This fast, which started on Saturday in Antarwali Sarati village of Jalna district, was the ninth movement of Manoj Jarange in the last three years. Jarange, who was sitting on strike amidst scorching heat and strong sunlight throughout the day, maintained pressure on the government, after which late in the night an agreement was reached between the government and the agitators.

Announcing the end of the fast, Manoj Jarange said that the state government has agreed to issue certificates to the eligible people on the basis of 58 lakh Kunbi records already identified. He informed that the relevant documents will be publicly displayed in the Gram Panchayat offices and the entire process will be monitored by the Divisional Commissioner’s office.

Jarange said that a demand for action against those officers who are negligent in issuing certificates despite having valid records has also been placed before the government. The government has assured to issue necessary orders in this regard.

The government has also shown a positive stance on other issues raised during the movement. According to Jarange, the process of issuing caste validity certificates will be reviewed after 15 days to ensure resolution of pending cases.

Apart from this, assurance has also been given to continue the discussion on the demand of forming a separate ministry for Maratha and Kunbi communities. At the same time, the government has also assured to provide financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives during the Maratha reservation movement.

Manoj Jarange’s health had also deteriorated due to continuous hunger strike and extreme heat. According to doctors, he faced problems like repeated vomiting, low blood pressure and dehydration. He was sitting in an open field without any tent or shade, which further increased the health risks. Doctors said that he will be taken to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar hospital for his detailed health checkup.

As soon as the fast began, government representatives, including Maratha Reservation Cabinet sub-committee chief and minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, reached the spot and talked to the agitators. After several rounds of discussion, an agreement was reached between the two parties and the fast ended.

On behalf of the government, it was said that efforts will continue to find solutions to the issues to Maratha reservation within the constitutional and legal ambit.

Manoj Jarange has emerged as a prominent face of the Maratha reservation movement in the last few years. He has put pressure on the government many times in the past through hunger strikes and protests. Even after the big movement led by him at Azad Maidan in Mumbai last year, an agreement was reached between the government and the agitators.

Their struggle has continued with their demands like providing benefits of OBC reservation to the Maratha community, issuing Kunbi certificates and withdrawal of cases registered against the agitators. At present, the movement has come to a halt after the assurances of the government, but in the coming days, everyone’s eyes will be on the implementation of these promises.